The value of pain is that it can be a messenger not an enemy. Pain in varying degrees is inevitable in our human life on earth. Only when it is weaponized it becomes harmful.

Result of Pain

Pain first began in the Garden of Eden when man first sinned, Genesis 3, and has continued ever since. It tells you to stop, withdraw and heal, preventing further injury. It saves lives.

Pain is a teacher, for we attempt to avoid things that have hurt us. It teaches us necessary boundaries. Though athletes are all too familiar with the pain barrier. 

Pain’s Value

We are strengthened physically and psychologically if we deal with pain through patience. Our coping skills are increased when we face pain with courage. However, that is not always possible.

Pain is uncomfortable and frequently unbearable. It may make us re-evaluate our priorities and deepens our empathy with others, for pain creates a feeling of isolation. Overwhelming pain can lead to suicidal tendencies and severe depression which requires professional assistance. Seeking help is not a weakness but a strength, for to live is to know pain.

Pain’s Lessons

Pain is a teacher and an alarm system that something is wrong. It may take repeated pain for us to leave a harmful situation. It can encourage us to change our habits or find a new direction for our life.

We need to seek the source of pain and recognize it as a warning. We may need to change what can be changed.

Spiritually

Having looked at pain physically, you discover that there is a value in pain. Not the self-flagellation kind where a person deliberately inflicts pain on the body. 

While we live in our earthly bodies we will experience troubles and pain and lots of it. As long as we have a sin nature we will never be without problems and pain. It is the same for the believer as it is for the unbeliever. God makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good. He sends rain on the just and on the unjust, Matthew 5:45.

Dealing with Problems

When we hit problems we can try to ignore them, hoping they will go away. We can pray about them and believe for a miracle. Yet, there are times when pain will not yield to prayer. We cannot command God to heal us at our choosing. There is a need to believe that God has a purpose in whatever we go through.

We do not live in ‘Utopia’ where all is peaceful and we are in control, able to adjust things to suit ourselves. Sadly, many Christians feel that is the way a faith walk operates and the privileged position we hold as children of God, 1 John 3:1. Jesus said something quite different. If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily, Luke 9:23.

Patience with Pain

Problems are a warning system and a teacher in the spiritual realm, just as they are physically. My son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord. Nor faint whenever you are reproved by Him. Those whom the Lord loves He disciplines. And He scourges every son He receives, Hebrews 12:5,6. It is sometimes called the baptism of fire.

These are harsh words but God’s correction is an essential part of the process whereby a true follower of Christ is fitted to share God’s holiness, Hebrews 12:10. It is proof of His genuine love for us and produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness in our lives, Hebrews 12:11.

No horse enjoys being broken from its wild nature. Yet, the fruit of that breaking should be a loving and companionable relationship with the owner. No one enjoys the correction of the Lord, but the fruit is worth it.

Enduring

Paul had a ‘thorn in the flesh’ that his powerful prayer could not remove, 2 Corinthians 12:7. He eventually saw it as being permitted by God for a good purpose. God told him, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness, 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Problems patiently endured work for our spiritual perfecting. We cause harm to ourselves when we fail to put our full trust in God. When Paul accepted the thorn in his side he found a higher purpose designed by God.

All problems create sorrow, yet if we allow the problems to train us, Hebrews 12:11, they will be used for our good. Satan designs evil against us, but God will use it for good in order to bring about a good result, Genesis 50:20.

Teacher

We do not learn to lean on God through the good times, but through the hard times. Faith is the only thing that pleases God, Hebrews 11:6. If we approach pain and problems with faith in a loving heavenly Father, the weight of the problem is eased. God withholds no good thing from those who trust Him, Psalm 84:11.

Problems and pain are what weights are to a weight-lifter. We either grow weaker or stronger, depending on how we deal with them. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow, James 1:3,4. We may feel overwhelmed at times, but at that point the only thing to do is to cry out to God and believe He only has the best for us.

No one enjoys the deep valley that grief cuts in our life, but the way through is to keep our eyes on the promises of God. The promises of being an overcomer.

Refining Fire

Every true follower of Christ needs refining fires in their life, Isaiah 48:10, 1 Peter 1:7. Our spiritual walk is designed to fit us for citizenship in heaven. This only happens through trials and triumphs.

Nothing comes to us that has not first passed through the hands of God for all things work together for our good, Romans 8:28. We either walk by faith, 2 Corinthians 5:7, or we walk in disbelief.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything thing give thanks, Philippians 4:6. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me, Philippians 4:13. However, no one ever said the road would be easy.

The True Value of Pain

The true value of pain and problems in our life, is that they are an opportunity to be an Overcomer and enter into a true relationship with our heavenly Father. This does not happen in an instant but is a journey that never ends until we see our Lord face to face.

Look for God’s mercy and love in the midst of the fires of this life, for your salvation is sure and your place in heaven assured. In your darkest night Lift up your head because your redemption is drawing near, Luke 21:28.

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a servant of the Lord who enjoys researching Biblical topics and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God. She asks the hard questions.

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