Pain, Pain, Go Away!

Remember when we were children and would stand at the window watching the rain pour down and sing: "Rain, rain, go away come again another day"?

Now I am more inclined to be heard singing: "Pain, pain, go away and DON'T come back another day"! Let's face it, no one in their right mind would invite pain to become a permanent house guest. If I could have seen it coming, I wouldn't even have answered the door, much less invited it into my household. Pain hurts, and suffering is uncomfortable. It arrives with a suitcase full of unwanted baggage: headache, body aches, nerve pain, muscle pain, dizziness, nausea, stress, anxiety, depression, and isolation. It causes us physical, emotional, mental and financial problems. It can destroy plans, hopes, dreams and tear apart friendships and family relationships. Leaving invisible scars, that even years of therapy may not heal.

And what about a social life? Often it revolves around Doctor visits,  hospital and ER visits, visits to numerous Specialists, and a myriad of testing that leaves us wondering if we will glow in the dark. It becomes impossible to plan ahead for events, because we won't know if we will physically be able to attend. So many things we can't control like the pain levels, sleeplessness and weather changes that are major contributing factors. All the little things about daily life that we took for granted until they were taken away.

"...After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." ~I Peter 5:10 (NLT)

When we are suffering, we often feel as if our pain will never end. Peters words contain a broader perspective for Christians. In comparison to eternity, our sufferings will only last "a little while". Some of us may be strengthened and delivered from suffering during our lifetime. For others, the relief will come through death. All of God's faithful followers are assured of an eternal life with Christ, where there will be no more pain, sickness and suffering. (Revelation 21:4)

Through it all, I've learned to lean on the Lord, my God to be my strength, my comforter, my companion, my all in all; even if the healing doesn't come in my lifetime here on earth.

Be Blessed! :)