Pain is something that we all try to avoid. It is dreaded because it hits our senses, whether this be physical or emotional. In fact, we all want to live a pain-free lives. This is the reason why drug companies continue to develop pain relieving medications. And because these drugs can only give temporary relief, people become dependent on them thus, complicating their problems. It should be noted that these medications do not cure the underlying disease, it only removes the symptoms- the pain itself. If we only endure the pain, it will bring much blessings in the end, besides avoiding all the serious side-effect of the pain-relieving medications. It works the same way with our spiritual struggles and pains. Therefore, the apostle Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).
Pain is an early indicator that something is brewing in us. Often, we treat it negatively because of the discomfort that it brings. However, God could be using it to reveal something greater that is beyond our comprehension. Therefore, the Psalmist said, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees” (Psalm 119:71). When we are spiritually sick and experience pain, we should take the right remedy which is repentance, instead of trying to cover it up through all kinds of activities and good works. King Solomon said, “He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Prov. 28:13). There are good reasons why we should not always treat pain negatively. God can use our pains for our good.
Sign of impending blessing. When pain comes, the Lord is about to release a blessing. If we endure it, we will get the best. Jesus used the birth pain to illustrate this. He said, “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world” (John 16:21). There is no such thing as a pain-free child birthing. When a woman goes into labor, the intensity of the pain increases and so is the frequency. If the woman cannot endure it and decides to stop the pain, the birthing process is aborted, and there is no bundle of joy in the end. Even the pain of affliction points to a coming blessing. The Psalmist acknowledged this when he said, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I obey your word” (Psalm 119:67). When blessing is about to come, there is much opposition that will try to stop it from coming. Often, overcoming this opposition entails much pain. in the case of Joseph, he had to go through a painful process for him to be a blessing to his family. He said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gen. 50:20)
Part of a process. Pain is part of a process needed to bring about the best of blessings. Without pain, we might not get the best result. A gold is needed to be melted at high temperature to remove impurities and make it a pure gold. Similarly, God uses certain sufferings and hardships to purify and refine us. Israel as a nation had to go through this refinement. The Lord said, “For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise, I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:9-10). Their affliction was not meant to destroy them but to strengthen them just as the fire in a furnace does not destroy the Gold but makes it purer. Discipline is also used by the Lord as a process to correct us and bring out the precious qualities in us. The apostle Paul said, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3-4). Sufferings help achieve spiritual growth and develop deeper relationship with God.
Reminder to pray. When pain comes, it reminds us of our frailty and a need to pray to God for help. The apostle James emphasized this saying, “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray” (James 5:13). When we do not have pain, we tend to forget God. It is only when we experience pain that we seek the Lord. Often, we are like the Israelites during the time of the judges: “The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD ; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherah’s. The anger of the LORD burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim……. But when they cried out to the LORD , he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them” (Judges 3:7-9). Indeed, pains are not always meant to kill or destroy us. These serve as reminder for us to pray and seek the help of God. Hallelujah!
