Invitation To Pain.
On last night – I took a second glance at Psalms 119:71, in which David writes, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.” A passage of scripture that probably isn’t a fan favorite among us as believers.
Over this past month, my wife and I have received more requests for counsel or advice from friends (and strangers) than I can probably remember. Interesting enough, a majority of it was counsel we had both given before. On several occasions.
It finally dawned on me yesterday that some people are not in need of any more counsel. What they need (although I hate to admit it) is more pain. Pain (as it relates to relationships, employment, ministry, and other life decisions) has a way of making you remember counsel.
Especially counsel you’ve already received.
Pain makes you and I make tough decisions; especially those we ordinarily do not want to make. Pain makes you and I see things for what they really are; instead of just seeing things for how we want them to be. Many of us wake up every day, running away from pain. We embrace that which is familiar. Or worst, we embrace that which is painless (and easy).
Show me a confused person and odds are I’ll show you a person who is running from pain. As it relates to where you (currently) are, and where you desire to be, ask yourself today:
Do I really need MORE counsel, or do I need to finally get through this PAIN?
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Category: Life & Faith
You hitting the nail right on the head……I liken it onto riding a bike up a hill…the uphill part is the most difficulty (the part we don’t want to do..the pain) and then comes the smooth sailing on the other side but most of us want to bypass the uphill part! Have a great day!
Milan, That is something I have said for years and even discussed this yesterday before Church…. You sure put it into print so very well.
Sorry you have not heard much from me lately but in April hubby the love of my life had quad by-pass did great came home 4 days next evening Easter Sunday went to Church and in evening took a nap and awoke and had had a stoke…. Has recovered well but still not well enough to return to work and that is beginning to upset him so include him in prayer…. YOUR SISTER N CHRIST … Donna agranny4 …. Phil 4:6-7
thats that tough love. Great Post!!!!
Wonderful post. Had a similiar experience today and got my head ripped off by a friend that I was being honest with.
Blessings,
Thank you for such an encouraging post. Psalms 119:71, is one of the scriptures the Lord have been dealing with me on as well. When I think about this scripture, I’m also reminded of Ps. 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” It’s encouraging to know that not only will God allow us to learn from the things we suffer, but He also will look upon our afflictions and deliver us from them. Yes, sometimes we do stand in need of pain, that we may not get beside ourselves. even Paul himself besought the Lord thrice that He would remove the thorn, but yet God would not remove it. Sometimes we just need to know that God’s grace will see us through whatever we are going through.
Again, thank-you!
Amen! What a message! I am not a counsellor but I do my best to give godly advice to those who confide in me and also find myself giving the same advice on more than one (or more) occasions. It confused me at one point when I realized it and must admit, I had gotten a little frustrated until I just decided to just say what I feel God leads me to say, and move on often times saying a little prayer. But I believe you when you say, the missing factor is pain…as long as we think we can avoid it, we will forever look for “that advice” that will help us skirt on by, when we do not find it, we don’t accept the advice we receive and end up back at the finishline. We can’t be afraid of pain…
2 Corinthians 4:8&9&10. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Tough, tough, pill to swallow!!
Wow…thank you for sharing such an amazing insight! It’s an undeniable truth that has truly blessed me!! Can’t wait for your book to come out. Continue to be a blessing. :0) In Christ Alone,
I am a counselor. And it is usually painful experiences that push people to receiving counsel. It is in those times of pain that an abundance of counsel is needed. I agree pain causes people to move, to think, and to reevaluate life, but it’s not more pain that’s needed, but an understanding that God allows pain to focus our attention on Him and His will for our lives. That’s not to say that He initiates it, but He simply allows the consequences of our choices.
Wonderful word!. I made a decision almost 2months ago 2 go thru the pain process. I couldnt stay where I was any longer especially knowing God has better 4 me. How I feel @times may not be easy or fun but its only temporary & God is with me so I can make it thru anything. He has destroyed the root of where it all began, He has taken my broken pieces and is healing me making me better than I was B4. Has has good plans 4me and his anointing is on my life. I will come out as the meaninh of my name A “Victorious Light” & it will all b 4 His Glory.
I love the pain…..
*big sigh* yes. must remember to counsel, plant that seed and then step aside and let God do the work! He is the Sovereign King, not me. let the pain prevail.
Amen!
GREAT post! We often forget there is Purpose in our Pain and Pain Positioned us to Prosper.
Thank you, thank you. May God get the glory out of our painful experiences. God uses our experiences not for ourselves but to be a blessing to someone else. Thank you Lord.
Thank you for the gentle reminder. There is so much going on in the world, what a comfort to know that through the pain, your revelation will come and that He walks with you, even though you may feel alone. It’s a biblical “no pain-no gain”, if you will. Once the pain is over, the results are astounding, I have been dealing with this for about 5 years now. I have been asking that He remove all my stumbling blocks, so I have been doing a lot of “house cleaning”. I Thank God for this life lesson, it has not only made my walk in Christ stronger, but solidified relationships that, without His presence, would have been written off.