Using Pain For Our Good

    On our really bad days, we sometimes believe that God must be "out to lunch" or just not "taking calls" right now. But rest assured, He is ALWAYS there. He hears EVERY PRAYER ~

 

"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer..." ~ I Peter 3:12	"....and surely I am with you ALWAYS....." ~ Matthew 28:20
Romans 5:3 through 4 ~ "... we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that  suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."	James 1:2 through 4 ~ "Consider it pure JOY,  my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your Faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything"

 Suffering can reveal what is in the deep crevices of our hearts.

-ANGER-ENVY-PRIDE-BITTERNESS-

or

-LOVE-MERCY-YIELDEDNESS-JOY-THANKSGIVING- ~ Pain has a tendency to bring out one's "TRUE SELF" When we are in the grips of daily pain, it is difficult to put up a "front" for others. Strengths and weaknesses of the heart are not truly evident when everything is going our way. But when PAIN...whether Physical or Emotional.... is tearing away at our "exterior"....the Lord allows us  to examine what's on the "INSIDE"

   

"Yes, O Lord, you are our Father, We are the Clay, You are the Potter, We are all the work of your Hand" Isaiah 64:8

Just as a piece of Pottery is made perfect (complete) by FIRE THE HUMAN HEART is revealed and shaped by enduring the trials of this world.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have OVERCOME THE WORLD" John 16:33

 ~

For many of us daily PAIN is a "fact of life". We need the care of doctors We need to take any prescribed medications But none of that ensures PAIN FREE life

~ SO WHAT CAN WE DO? ~

The Choice is OURS to make

(  )A. We can allow the pain to make us bitter Causing us to hate the world and  be angry with God. We can alienate ourselves from all those who love & care about us. We can "wallow" in a pool of "Self-Pity"

OR

(  )B. We can depend DAILY on Jesus to sustain us and give us the strength we need to face each new day. We can surround ourselves with Family and Friends We can seek to serve the needs of others, taking our minds off "SELF" We can count our DAILY BLESSINGS

 

There is SO much in the world to be thankful for A good idea is to keep a "GRATITUDE JOURNAL" I have kept one for several months now.  And every night before going to  bed, I list atleast 5 things that I am THANKFUL for that day. Some days, my entries will be "Thank You Lord that I only had bad pain in the morning, and Thank You that my  washing machine was fixed" And then there are days when my entries look like this: "Thank You Lord, that my Dad has accepted you, and Thank You that I didn't have to take ANY  pain medicine today and Thank You for the Beautiful SUNSHINE and Thank You for the precious CARD I received from my Friend today" There are always things to give THANKS for ! EVERYDAY Even on the "bad pain days" There is SO much beauty in God's Creation We have been blessed with friends, family, children

~

So what choice will YOU make? "A" or "B"? ~ Most importantly... Remember this:

You don't have to FIGHT this "BATTLE" alone. The Lord wants you to share this burden with Him ~

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, For I am gentle and humble in heart, And you will find REST for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light"

~ Matthew 11:28-30

~

I hope that you have found some comfort here today. If so, please E-Mail me and share your testimony

 

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