Pain

I understand pain.  I know the feeling of helplessness, hopelessness, and weakness.  I know what it is like to cry yourself to sleep almost every night wondering if there will ever be an end to what you are going through.  I understand, because I am human.
            I also have a God who understands.  Jesus was also human, and he felt the pain of rejection, along with the physical pain of crucifixion.  We are told that he sympathizes with us.  So why does he then allow us to go through what we go through?
            Pain is a tool God uses to reach you and others.  When you are down to nothing, you are way more likely to hear God whisper to you.  It doesn’t feel good, but lessons learned during storms seem to stick better than lessons taught to you during moments of calmness in your life. 
            God can also use pain to reach others.  Pain is a microphone.  How you react to your trials shows the world around you what you believe.  It is a living testimony of God.  Again, it hurts, but it brings glory to God. 
            Yet, are these facts comforting through a trial?  I don’t really think so.  To me, I can become extremely bitter towards God because of my circumstances.  I get angry sometimes that I am going through all that I am going through for God’s glory.  Then God spoke to me.
           
            “Daughter, I love you.  I chose you before time began.  You are my creation and I delight over you.  But I can’t leave you the way you are, I love you too much.  Come to me, and let me heal your heart.  Let me show you my heart, and teach you to become more like me.  I rejoice over you with singing, my daughter.  I will redeem you.  The world cannot define you, because I have already overcome.  Lean on me, and I will supply all that you want and need.”

            I know some people think that I am crazy when I say that I can hear God, but I won’t deny that I can.  He speaks to me all the time, when I choose to listen.  It’s not a loud voice, but a soft, gentle, comforting, whisper over my soul.  (1 King 19:11-14)
            My pastor did his sermon on pain last week.  More specifically rejection, but I think in all pain there is some form of rejection.  I would highly recommend it (link at bottom of article).  One thing that most caught my attention was to remember the truth in times of pain.  When you speak out “God is good all the time, all the time He is good.” You don’t have the chance to be angry at God.  You can rejoice, even in your trials. 
            My friend also gave me a valuable piece of advice.  When God asks you to do something that you see as painful to help heal, you might as well do it.  You are already broken, already in pain.  What obedience is going to do is help you heal.  Obedience takes the infection out of the wound, and let’s God put his spiritual medicine, and bandage on your wound. But just like with everything else, He will wait for you to allow Him to.  Don’t fight Him on this.
            I am human.  I can’t tell you why bad things happen.  I can’t tell you when your pain will go away, and I can’t tell you what your future is going to look like.  But God is faithful, and He will redeem you.  You are too precious to Him for Him to leave you in this time.  He who started this work in you, will be faithful to complete it.  He will make you white as snow. 
            You aren’t defined by the world’s standards.  You are far above that.  You live by God’s standards.  He will never see you as worthless, a lost cause, boring, ugly, or anything else this world has labeled you as.  You are His child.  He delights in you!

Link to sermon:   http://www.engagetruth.com/media/audio/612/pain-peace