MORNING MANNA 8-6-24
The Gift of Pain
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”-Revelation 21:3-4
Many people believe that pain is God’s one mistake. Pain usually gets bad press, but have you ever considered that a wise God created us with an ability to feel pain for a reason?
I read a book by Dr. Paul Brand who knew physical pain is a gift. As he studied the suffering of people infected with Hansen’s disease—leprosy—he came to the conclusion that, at least in some cases, pain is vital to our survival.
While the word leprosy may conjure up images of stubby fingers and toes, ulcerated wounds, and distorted facial features, it is not the direct cause for these conditions. Because of pain deprivation, leprosy causes its victims to inadvertently destroy parts of their own bodies. Hansen’s disease acts as an anesthetic, numbing the pain cells of hands, feet, eyes, ears, and nose.
While most diseases are feared because of their pain, Hansen’s is deadly because its victims feel no pain. According to Dr. Brand, the destruction of facial features and limbs follows because the warning system of pain is gone.
In African and Asian villages where Dr. Brand worked, lepers reached directly into fire to retrieve a dropped potato. Patients at the hospital in India worked, gripping a shovel with a protruding nail; extinguished a burning wick with bare hands; stepped on broken glass. They simply couldn’t feel the warning signals telling them to stop.
No wonder Dr. Brand concluded his findings by saying, “Thank God for inventing pain.” Pain is both an essential and unavoidable part of life; the art of living is learning how to respond to pain. God uses pain in several ways: to correct us—”It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Thy own statutes” (Psalm 119:71);“ “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope:”(Rom.5:3-4)
Pain, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, communicates a clear message: something isn’t right! The loss of a loved one, a job, physical ability, or any other type of earthly pain has been caused by Adam’s sin in the garden, as well as our own sin.
But there is the remainder of the verse in Romans 5:4 that says, “. . . and experience hope.” Our perspective has to go beyond our lives—it has to stretch out into eternity. That gave the Apostle Peter hope and joy:
“ “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:6-7
Stephen Davey said,”God has promised to set everything right; let God’s gift complete its perfect work! And while you wait, give Him glory—while you suffer, honor Him. While you get that which you don’t want—and don’t get what you do want—exult in Him alone. God isn’t finished . . . yet.
Pray for strength to face the trials that stand in your way, and to withstand the painful consequences of living in a sin-struck world. Then thank God for the “hope” of eternal life.” HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, TX
