When Pain Is All You Have ...

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, sadness, crying or pain, because all the old ways are gone. - Revelation 21:4


I have a tendency to feel others pain and hold onto to it. I don't know why, I just do. And when it's time to let go of it, I breathe as if it's my last breath. At that very instant, I can see Jesus on the cross. He bore our sins with every stripe that was struck upon His skin. He was even ridiculed. More importantly, He died so that we could be set free.

How many of us can honestly do what He did? Think about the co-worker, boss, and inconsiderate person that has crossed your path. What was your first instinct? Probably a few choice, colorful words. What about the person you love? Have they hurt you in a way that you can't love someone else out of fear, guilt or shame? Have you denied yourself total happiness because you hold on to pain? It's not easy moving on, but you can.

When you can look yourself in the mirror and forgive yourself, you have moved on. When you can turn to your brother or sister and forgive them truthfully, you have moved on. When you can ask God to forgive you and believe He has done just that, you have more than moved on ... you have allowed Him to work a miracle in your life.

Pain is a temporary thing. It is an emotion. We are all allowed emotions. What isn't allowed is letting the emotions take us away from the one, true living Savior. Give Him your pain, sorrow, suffering, and burdens. He will carry you through. I know because He continues to carry me through all the good and trying times daily.

When pain is all you have, ask God to see you through and stand firm in Him. For your pain will become joy.