God is good. I'm thankful for the hope I am given through Jesus Christ in the midst of my daily pain :)
The Thorn is a Gift
Chronic pain is an unspoken issue . . .
Chronic pain is an unspoken issue that is more common than I thought. I’ve dealt with it since age eight, and in honor of some of the most precious and godly women in my life who also deal with chronic pain, here are my lessons from pain in the last few years:
1. The thorn is a gift.
It makes us see the power of God– We have to turn from our own weak power to rely on ”God who raises the dead” 2 Cor. 1:9
It keeps us from arrogance– “so to keep me from being conceited…” Pain is a safeguard from conceit and arrogance. In physical pain we are humbled by our inability to control even our own body. 2 Cor. 12:7
2. We are called to a life of pain “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” It is simply a part of being a Christian.
3. Physical pain is a very clear test of what is truly inside of us. Because you can’t escape physical pain, you are forced to face your sin, your lack of faith, head-on. I can’t just shake it off and go get a cup of coffee or clean the house to distract myself. I have to face my pain—face what I really think about it, and about God. These are HUMBLING times. You can’t fake faith here; false faith is too weak to survive the bashing waves of physical pain. “that the tested genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
4. God uses pain…
To make us holy
To make us not rely on ourselves
To make us rely on God
5. Pain increases our faith
6. Pain sets our hope on Him
7. Pain helps us understand Jesus uniquely “… that I may know him … and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Jesus was a suffering servant and we can understand Him uniquely in our pain. This is precious.
8. Pain makes us look forward to heaven.
Though pain can be excruciating (this word, btw, comes from the cross of Christ), the benefits can mysteriously outweigh the burden.
BUT, be aware Christian. Just because you have physical pain does not promise you will be improved by it. If we let God use our pain, He will refine us like gold. If we spend our pain in bitterness, anger, frustration or despair, we will waste our pain.
The thorn is a gift.
Or you can waste your pain, and it’s just pain.
Which do you want yours to be?
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