Pain Can Be for Our Good
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
By CHERYL ROGERS
Nobody likes pain. Yet pain is often the impetus to get help.
It may warn us of cancer, allergies or other health problems, so we can find a solution. It may let us know we are overstressed and anxious.
Psychic pain is no different. Nobody wants it, but it can signal the need for change. Even after we deal with the problem, walking through the pain can bring healing from bruised emotions.
Our inclination might be to deny our problem, avoid it or somehow escape it entirely. But that's not God's way.
God doesn't want us to hide in fear.
Since I have come to know God, I have learned he wants us to face our problems -- in faith.
Just as he did with Jacob, God asks us to face those people or situations we fear. In Genesis 31, we see how Jacob feared his father-in-law Laban and fled with his wives and children. But God allowed Laban to pursue him, although he asked Laban not to speak to Jacob "either good or bad." Genesis 31:24
After they parted peacefully, Jacob had to face his brother Esau, whom he fled after pretending to be Esau and receiving Esau's blessing from Isaac, their father.
Again, what could have been an ugly situation was dealt with peaceably, as Esau had also been blessed by God, Genesis 33 shows.
Though we need to face our fears, we don't need to be foolish.
For example, I was petrified of dogs for many years. When I repented of fear as a sin, God didn't put me into a cage with a pit bull and stay his mouth like he did for Daniel in the lions' den.
He could have, but I'm sure he didn't want to try me beyond my strength.
Walking out of fear with God is different, very different.
Instead, there was a pet rabbit, a puppy and a barking pit bull across the fence next door (who eventually moved to lot of folks' relief.)
Instead, God puts someone in our way suffering from the same problem. Someone we can share with; someone we can help.
By blessing others, we are blessed.
And we walk out of our pain.
Cheryl Rogers is a writer and singer/songwriter specializing in Scripture songs and Scripture-based columns, stories, and artwork. Resources are posted at http://www.SongsfromtheWord.com
© Cheryl Rogers, Tampa, Florida
This blog/podcast may be redistributed in its entirety, unchanged. Contact the author at songsfromtheword@earthlink.net for all other rights.
Monday, July 2, 2007
