One thing I love about working with the public is the wonderful people I meet each day.  It is amazing how our conversations move from business to personal with one interaction.  This past week, one client I enjoy connecting with came in.  During our last talk, she told me about the medical issues her Father-in-law was having and how she was ensuring he ate healthy, well balanced meals. He had been living with her and her husband for several months. During this recent visit, she gave me an update on his health.  She explained he recently had surgery due to blood clots in his legs.  Prior to the surgery, he did not have feeling below his knees.  The surgery was successful and he regained feeling in his lower body. He noticed, his feet were actually throbbing in pain.  He looked at the soles of his feet and discovered blisters.  It turns out, prior to the surgery, he was walking in their driveway, barefoot. He did this repeatedly to take bring the garbage cans from the back of the house to the curb of the street.  Because his pain receptors were not functioning properly, he was not aware of the damage he was causing.

As I listened to his story, I recognized the importance of pain.  It acts as an alarm for our bodies.  It tells us if something is not as it should be.  There is actually a rare genetic disorder called congenital analgesia (CIP).  CIP hinders a person’s ability to feel pain.  They are even unable to feel the heat of a flame or the cold of the snow.  This is very dangerous.  It has been said most people with this condition do not live past their childhood and die from injuries or illnesses that go unidentified. 

Pain not only warns us when we need to address a physical ailment but also when we have a mental or psychological challenge.  If you read my last post, “A Page From My Book,” I shared how different experiences in my life caused me great pain and distress.  This pain was an indicator there were issues I needed to address and required healing.  Though the experience of pain is not pleasant, the presence of pain is necessary and vital to our overall health and personal development. 

The Bible is clear we will experience pain and suffering in this life.  This can be due to physical issues, trials, hardships, and disappointment to name a few things.  This cannot be avoided as it is a part of our journey. I am so glad God has promised to be with us during times. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 34:18. It tells us God is near to the brokenhearted.  When the road gets hard, I remind myself of this truth.  In the midst of our pain, we are not left to go through it alone.  God is near.  Even more, these times in our lives are meant to produce fruit.  This fruit is described as endurance, spiritual maturity, character, and hope.  Pain has a way of pushing us closer to God or pulling us away from Him.  The way we respond will determine the outcome and the fruit we produce.   James 1:2-3 tells us how we should approach these time: “count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”  God uses our circumstances to refine and mold us into the people He created us to be. 

Do not despise the pain. It has a purpose.

Scripture References:

Psalm 34:18-19 “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite heart.  Many are afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. 

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when fall into various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

Romans 5:3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being with me in the midst of my pain. Thank you that even during difficult times You comfort and deliver me. Help me to see my pain from Your point of view. May it produce in me the fruit of spiritual maturity, patience, and character. May my trust and faith in You be strengthened.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Until Next Time,

Live Audaciously!

Kay Naomi