Finding Comfort in Pain

You know, as a teenager, a lot of the time I can make a big deal out of nothing major. Then, when something major happens I’m just kind of in shock and can’t seem to fathom what’s actually going on. Although, there is one thing I can sure fire understand. I understand what pain is.

Now I’m not talking about physical pain, but more of a spiritual, emotional, and mental pain. Even at the pretty young age of 17/18, I have gained a firm grasp on the concept of pain. I know the heart wrenching feeling that comes with certain tough events in my life, and it causes an ache that sometimes just can’t seem to settle. From what feels like I’m failing God, to failing people closest to me, and even failing those who look up to me even if they aren’t able to see it, it causes an unbearable pain at times. And sometimes dealing with it is even harder.

First, I’ll start off with Spiritual pain. I am a sinner. We all are. We all get knocked down on a daily basis, and sometimes it feels like we just can’t get back up. I am a very strong willed person, with a huge heart. I feel as if I can help anyone with anything at anytime, even when sometimes I’m the one who needs the most help. There are times where I will literally drop my head in shame and with eyes full of tears, just because I know I have failed God yet again. Every time we sing the song, “Can He Still Feel the Nails?” I always find tears in my eyes.
{Can He still feel the nails, every time I fail? Does He hear the crowd cry “crucify” again? Am I causing Him pain, when I know I’ve got to change? Cause I just can’t bear the thought of hurting Him.} It cuts me to my heart knowing that every time I sin, I am causing Christ pain. Because He sacrificed Himself for us, and endured pains that we can never even imagine. Yet I still find myself wondering… How can He forgive a poor, wretched sinner like me?

Secondly, I’ll touch on emotional pain. Some things really bother me. Whether it’s something I’ve seen happen to one of my friends or family members, or experiences of my own, sometimes things really seem to get in my head or cut to my heart, and bother me deeply. I’m an over thinker, and I can turn any tiny thing into something big, and big things even bigger. I can let one person change my entire mood for the day, and it’ll stick with me. If someone told me something negative three years ago, three days ago, or three minutes ago, there’s a good chance I’ll remember it even thirty years from now. I will constantly bear down on myself without any second thought, until I have fixed whatever negative thing was said. My feelings get hurt easily, and I can get emotional in the blink of an eye. But I can blame that on being a teenage girl, right? I do wish that was the case, but it really doesn’t work like that. I’m a worrier, a carer, and a girl with a lot of heart. Therefore, I feel (very deeply sometimes) emotional pain.

How do we deal with pain?

We have to understand the problem. What is causing me to feel this pain? This awful hurt inside of me? Pain is an inevitable occurrence. It’s going to happen to anyone, anytime. Once we understand the reason behind the pain, we can begin pulling ourselves back up to the top of the roller coaster we call life.

While there are many passages we can go to, I’ve chosen a specific few that help me through painful times. (ESV)
Even Christ felt pain: Hebrews 2:18- For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

I find an incredible example of enduring pain through Job, who literally lost it all, and never once turn away from God. Job 6:10- This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Strength comes from God to overcome pain: 1 Peter 5:9-10- Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

How comforting it is to know that we have the Word of God while experiencing pain.

In Christian Love,