Into the Fire

The price of pain . . . physical, emotional, spiritual. To endure it, to overcome it, to get rid of it dominate the existence of pain. So much pain in this life of all kinds, experienced by all people.

Pain serves a purpose, but when in pain it's hard to care, to value, or to survive it. Most of us just want it to go away. We don't want the residual memory of it, we don't want it to be repeated, we certainly don't want to cause it again, and if it lasts a long time, we can't help but ask the question "Why?"

If asked about the benefit(s) of pain, most of us would be hard-pressed to give any. Only in hindsight can we gain some understanding of its purpose. Those who live in pain demonstrate immense courage. Pain brings a reality no one wants to experience: life is difficult, it requires endurance much of the time, it reminds us of both our humanity and our mortality, and it proves we are not in control.

Relief is the endgame of pain. We want it to go away. Some will, some won't. Pain is inevitable in this life except for those rare souls who cannot feel it and oddly enough are in danger because of what some would undoubtedly consider a blessing. However, without feeling pain we can be seriously damaged without knowing how much.

I can give no advice to those in pain other than to pray for mercy and grace. There are no simple solutions to real pain. If we've caused our own pain, we must learn the reasons for or behind it. If someone else has brought pain upon us, we need to survive it. We will be stronger for having endured it, but beyond that, we must decipher what the experience meant to us.

Will God help us figure out our pain? Yes. And no. It's His choice whether or not He chooses to explain it all to you if you ask Him about it. Purpose, value, even a blessing? It's up to Him. And you and me.

Father, I can't say truthfully that I'm grateful for pain of any kind, but I can say I've discovered some value in some of the pain I've endured. And I can pray for those who are deep in pain for whatever reasons. I do ask for your mercy and grace for those in pain. You're the only One who provides real comfort and relief. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.