As we conclude this series, I want to simply give you a few tasks to help you change your perspective when dealing with pain.
In John 16:33 Jesus makes it very clear that this world will be full of trouble. The way He makes the statement so matter-of-factly is equally unnerving and comforting. It’s like your mom and dad both telling you about your upcoming visit to the dentist.
Dad says, “The needle they will stab into your gums hurts pretty bad and sometimes the drilling hurts, too, if things aren’t all the way numb. You will smell your tooth dust as it’s ground down, which is weird and gross. Then your mouth will feel really funny for the next few hours, and you’ll be sore when that numbness wears off, but you’ll be fine.”
Mom says, “You’re going to fine, honey. I’ve been to the dentist a hundred times and had dozens of cavities. Yes, there’s a shot but they will rub some flavored gel on the spot to make the shot not so bad and I’ll be right there with you and can hold your hand. Plus, you’ll get to wear some really cool sunglasses. Then after it’s over, we’ll go get ice cream!”
Both unnerving and comforting. Jesus is a compassionate realist.
So, while he doesn’t sugar coat it and says it’s going to hurt, he also says how he’s walked this road and come out victorious! It’s going to be fine.
Here are 3 things you can do that will give you a boost in these difficulties.
1. GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Now, this does NOT say give thanks FOR all things but IN all things. No matter how hard it is, bad it looks, or painful it feels, you can live in the favor of God by having an attitude of gratitude in spite of it. Find SOME-thing to be thankful for. Make it a regular practice, a habit. Interesting that this is God’s will for your life.
2. EMBRACE THE SUCK. We use this in CrossFit to endure a painful workout so we will experience the growth physically. But the truth is, life and spiritual growth happen the same way. The reason we say to embrace it is because in enduring the difficulty, adaptation happens, and new fitness takes place. In the trial, we are made better, if we endure. Romans 3:3-5 tells us that we can rejoice in our sufferings because it produces character which produces endurance which produces hope which leads to a fuller life.
3. LOOK BEYOND THE PRESENT. If your life is too comfortable, too satisfactory, there is no need for God or to look forward to anything beyond this life. Hebrews 13:14 explicitly states, “This world is NOT our home; we are looking forward to our everlasting home in heaven.” This is like buying a new weed-eater or hair dryer and thinking we’ll never have to buy another one again. We know they will break. We know they are temporary and so is this life. While I’m not debating whether or not God is the cause for bad things in our lives, we can appreciate the struggle, the brokenness because this life is not the end game. Eternity is!
I have found that in focusing on Christ instead of this life, I can embrace the suck and give thanks in all things! This reduces stress, elevates mood, and makes for better days. Happy Painsgiving!!! Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
#HappyPainsgiving
#HappyThanksgiving
#RestoringWholenessOfLife
Brett
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