Pain's Purpose
Recovery can be excruciating. Even though it may be a difficult process to endure, recuperation is worth it.
In the midst of pain, have you ever doubted? I certainly have. I have said stupid things that prove that I questioned whether the necessary interventions would be beneficial. Many years ago I was in a serious automobile accident and sustained multiple injuries including several fractures in my left leg. It hurt horribly. I knew instantly that my leg was badly broken. However, a series of errors and misdiagnosis resulted in me not receiving treatment for several days. I eventually needed surgery to repair my bones. While waiting for proper medical care I was in a significant discomfort, but it was tolerable in comparison to the agony I experienced following the operation. When I awoke from the orthopedic procedure, what I felt was more than I could bear. My brother is a physical therapist and served as director of physical therapy at the hospital where I was a patient. He came to my bedside in the recovery room. As he leaned over the railing, he asked how I was doing. At first I groaned incoherently, and then, still groggy from the anesthesia, I made a foolish remark. In response to my brother’s concern, I moaned and stated: “They should have left it broken!” Of course, it would not have been the right thing to leave my leg broken, but at that moment the cure seemed to be worse than the problem.
We can have similar experiences when we need spiritual correction or emotional healing for our growth. I’ve known God’s dealing when I needed adjustment in my attitudes and relationships. In the midst of His discipline, there were times I felt as though I might not survive. God’s intention was only for my good that I would be whole and well and a devoted disciple. It’s easier to see when the turmoil subsides. It would be good if we could remember in the midst of the struggle that we will be okay.
Pain has a purpose. It can alert us to situations that need attention. Sometimes we hurt while we are undergoing improvement. When we are in pain we can have courage. God is trustworthy. He is the best Surgeon. God is a good heavenly Father that lovingly deals with us for our best.
The Bible addresses this truth:
Hebrews 12:5-11 (Amplified Bible)
5And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him;
6For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.
7You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?
8Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all].
9Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?
10For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.
11For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness--in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].
In the midst of pain, have you ever doubted? I certainly have. I have said stupid things that prove that I questioned whether the necessary interventions would be beneficial. Many years ago I was in a serious automobile accident and sustained multiple injuries including several fractures in my left leg. It hurt horribly. I knew instantly that my leg was badly broken. However, a series of errors and misdiagnosis resulted in me not receiving treatment for several days. I eventually needed surgery to repair my bones. While waiting for proper medical care I was in a significant discomfort, but it was tolerable in comparison to the agony I experienced following the operation. When I awoke from the orthopedic procedure, what I felt was more than I could bear. My brother is a physical therapist and served as director of physical therapy at the hospital where I was a patient. He came to my bedside in the recovery room. As he leaned over the railing, he asked how I was doing. At first I groaned incoherently, and then, still groggy from the anesthesia, I made a foolish remark. In response to my brother’s concern, I moaned and stated: “They should have left it broken!” Of course, it would not have been the right thing to leave my leg broken, but at that moment the cure seemed to be worse than the problem.
We can have similar experiences when we need spiritual correction or emotional healing for our growth. I’ve known God’s dealing when I needed adjustment in my attitudes and relationships. In the midst of His discipline, there were times I felt as though I might not survive. God’s intention was only for my good that I would be whole and well and a devoted disciple. It’s easier to see when the turmoil subsides. It would be good if we could remember in the midst of the struggle that we will be okay.
Pain has a purpose. It can alert us to situations that need attention. Sometimes we hurt while we are undergoing improvement. When we are in pain we can have courage. God is trustworthy. He is the best Surgeon. God is a good heavenly Father that lovingly deals with us for our best.
The Bible addresses this truth:
Hebrews 12:5-11 (Amplified Bible)
5And have you [completely] forgotten the divine word of appeal and encouragement in which you are reasoned with and addressed as sons? My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him;
6For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes.
7You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. For what son is there whom his father does not [thus] train and correct and discipline?
8Now if you are exempt from correction and left without discipline in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate offspring and not true sons [at all].
9Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?
10For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.
11For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness--in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].
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