The Story Isn't Over: A Study of Pain

There is a hurricane developing, and so we have been bathed in rain for a week, and another several days of rain is forecast. The good side of endless rain is I spend hours writing. Yesterday I finished the rough draft of book #3 in my horse series. (Book 1- Joe The Horse Nobody Loved- still smoking the charts at #5, Book 2- Gidget The Horse Formerly Known as Witch- still needs some divine marketing.)

I thought I had decided how my book would end, but then, in the midst of the rain, a new character slipped in. I was introduced to her, and wondered what God plans to do with her in Book 4. That started me cogitating on God's plan and purpose. Lately, I have had several people spend time conversing with me, sharing some deep pain, and it ends up being something I have either gone through, or am currently going through.

While that has helped the struggling friend, for which I am grateful, at the root, is that what God's plan for my life is? That I would survive pain and psychic wounds to be able to help others survive pain and psychic wounds? Did God create humanity only to serve others...who must serve others...who must serve others...and all of us are confused, hurting messes?

It seems like a futile, endless, ultimately meaningless chain.

I spoke to yet another friend about my musings and she nodded. She understood (remarkably) and told me that was not what we were created for, but it was the result of the fall from grace, beginning with Adam and Eve. We are universally wounded by sin, but that wasn't the purpose of our existence, despite evidence to the contrary.

It seems to me that if pain and struggle is not the purpose, then it must be the vehicle by which a greater purpose is carried out. It is a constant in the human experience. No one escapes it. Some drug themselves from it, and some fight it with addictions, dye, face-lifts, liposuction, denial...but no one can successfully innoculate themselves from it.

So what are we to do with pain?

Jesus was wounded for our transgressions. He endured impossible pain that the world might be drawn back to God. If we are to be like Jesus, then that must be critical in how we are to respond to pain. The purpose of pain is to draw others and ourselves back to God.

But how? We are not like Jesus in that none of us are sinless, and none of us can pay the penalty of another person's sin. So our pain is certainly not in the same category as Jesus' pain. We can redeem no one.  But I believe that by examining His suffering on the cross, there are some keys in how we are to endure pain in such a way that God is glorified.

1. Recognize we are exactly where God intends us to be, even when it hurts so terribly that we shrink from it with all that is in us.
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42
2. In the midst of the pain, never lose communion with God. Keep your eyes on Him.
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44
3. Seek the redemptive power of one's suffering in pointing others to the source of all their pain- separation from God
"Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children." Luke 23:28
4. Forgive and encourage others even in your darkest hour, no matter who has contributed to bringing you there.
"Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34
5. Communicate the eternal perspective and offer hope, even as your own anguish is unbearable.

"Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

6. Trust God and submit every moment and everything within us, our very life, into His hands, knowing He is good and His purposes necessary.
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:46

 
A wise friend of mine told me as I struggled, "The story isn't over."

Luke 24: 45-53

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.