The Perspective To See Benefits Of DifficultyНамуна

Perseverance 

Pain hurts. It is unpleasant. A digging kind of sorrow. A nagging sort of torture.

As such, we tend to avoid pain at all costs. It is a classic human instinct. We see pain coming and we fight or run. We hide from pain. The fear of agony cripples us.

When inevitable pain finds its way into our story, we do our best to quiet it. We rub dirt over it, sweep it under the rug, pretend it isn’t there. We might even lie to our friends, our spouse, even our own self. Our childlike instinct tells us to ignore it until it goes away. Our society tells us to get over it quickly, that we aren’t okay if we don’t feel okay (or pretend to).

But it doesn’t quite work, does it? Sorrow is like an alarm clock. It won’t turn off until you acknowledge it. We cannot explain away our sorrow. Nor can we outrun it. So many of us are acting in unhealthy ways because of years and years, layer upon layer, of unaddressed pain.

If there is someone who knows about pain it is the Apostle Paul. Not only did he burden internally and suffered, but he also dealt with a lot of physical pain. I’d encourage you to read his letters as he talks about internal and physical suffering. In the book of Romans, he says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…” Isn’t that something? He is saying that our suffering is not in vain, because it produces a characteristic of strength. He continues by saying, “Perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” 

Paul is telling us several things. He wants us to know that our pain is not in vain, but of great benefit, because it produces characteristics of strength and hope. But he also wants us to know that we are not alone. God is holding us through the pain. He is pouring out His love and Spirit to us so that we can persevere. As counterintuitive as it sounds, the quickest way to heal is to press into the hurt. Not to make an idol out of it or drive yourself over the cliff, but to name and address it. Share the truth of your hurt with those who love you most. It will hurt more upfront, but the outcome is a quicker path to healing. 

Along with the very real tragedy of pain, sorrow is an opportunity, a path to growth, intimacy, and to perseverance.