What If Pain Were Useful?

How could your life change if you began to see pain as a useful means to a positive end, rather than a troublesome obstacle that must be avoided at all cost? I don't mean to suggest by this question that you go seeking out painful situations, but what if you changed your perspective on the pain that is already present in your life? Could such a shift in thinking be useful?

Let's face the reality that life includes pain. As some have even stated before, "Life is pain." (Most notably recorded in the classic movie The Princess Bride *smile*) But how often do we really accept this fact and use it to our advantage? Most of us spend a considerable amount of energy resisting the idea that life includes pain and we thrash around throwing adult-sized fits any time something painful occurs. Again, I'm not suggesting we all hold hands and sing "Kumbaya" (pain hurts), but rather to see pain as an opportunity instead of only an obstacle.

Let me give you an example of pain as an opportunity. My father died when I was only 18 years old. There I stood on the cusp of manhood and in an instant (about two months, to be exact) my father was gone. He died of an unknown virus that attacked his heart. I was shocked, angry, and devastated. The one man I respected more than any other was no longer there to lead the way. "Pain" couldn't begin to accurately describe what I felt.

I wish I could say I learned the lesson of pain as opportunity immediately, but instead it took 7 years for me to "get it." (Which should encourage you that as long as there is breath in your body there is hope for learning life's deeper lessons) What I eventually learned through my father's death was that by going through that painful circumstance, grieving his loss, and eventually healing, I had countless opportunities to empathize with others who also lost their dads at a young age. When I allowed my pain to become an invitation to encourage others, I realized such a difficult journey was not in vain.

There are all sorts of pain in life. There is the pain of losing a loved one to death. There is a whole other type of pain in losing a loved one to divorce, addiction, or complacency. Then there is the pain of crushed dreams, broken promises, and unmet expectations. Pain comes in all shapes and sizes. On any given day, pain is present. Since this is true, I think it would serve us well to understand our pain and then allow it to impact others at the point of their need.

If someone told me ten years ago that I would be doing what I am currently doing for a career, I would have laughed out loud (or shuddered in terror). But God had something different in mind, a career that would include lots of pain. The fact that my worst failures in life are in full view of the world to see is painful (sometimes so much so that I am tempted to just do something else altogether...). But God keeps reminding me that my pain has a purpose - a purpose much larger than any momentary discomfort I might feel. And your pain has a purpose as well. But you must be willing to explore what that purpose is and then dive in.

Do you want a life free from pain? Sure you do. Who doesn't? But let me share a not-so-little secret: a pain-free life doesn't exist. So, instead of wasting energy fighting against this fundamental truth of life, I would challenge you today to begin taking seriously the pain you encounter in your life. Turn toward it. Walk into it. And discover the riches of sharing your pain so others might be set free. God promises an excellent return for those willing to invest their pain for His sake (Rom. 8:17).

Investing my pain,

jonathan