Pressing Past the Pain

            I am too nice. I really am. I’m kind even when no part of me really wants to be. People say the most ridiculous and hurtful things at times, yet I try to operate in love. The reason I know that I am too nice is because people think I have to have some ulterior motive behind the kind things I say and do. It’s kind of annoying. I have not always been this way. At one point, not too long ago, I had no problem ripping you a brand new one and sending you merrily on your way. But it didn’t bring any kind of satisfaction, and most importantly, it did not represent love. So I decided to check myself. I press past the pain and hurt I feel and choose kindness, and have received much favor and many blessings because of it, and my faith has grown to epic proportions.

            Since I started this blog, I have been on the quest to lose weight. For me, this is a painful process, and it's not necessarily physical pain. Some days I just simply do not feel like pressing past my laziness. It literally feels like I am forcing myself to do something I simply do not feel like doing. I think it’s mostly because I don’t receive immediate results. But how will I ever see results if I don’t press through?

Some of our most painful experiences, if not all, have the potential to teach us lessons, cause growth, and gain wisdom.  First Peter 1:6-8 tells us, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,…” (NASB version). Like gold being perfected by fire, our pain, hurt, disease, and discouraging moments are there to perfect us and increase our faith. 

But who wants to feel the pain?

Job is a magnificent example to encourage us through our pain. Job was considered a blameless man. He would even offer a sacrifice to the Lord when his children sinned. The devil asked God if he would take his hand off of Job to prove that Job would not be as faithful if God was not covering him. God allowed it. Job lost everything -his health, his children, and his wealth. Job’s wife even told him to curse God and die. “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God” (1:22 NASB). In the end, God doubled everything Job lost through his trials.

I am convinced that there is something amazing on the other side of whatever afflicts us. If we press through the hard work of exercise, we see the final result of weight loss and better health. If we press through the difficult financial situation, we receive provisions that will take care of all of our needs. If we press through a bad diagnosis, we will receive healing. It’s the pressing through with the help of the Lord that makes a difference.

During the time my son was hospitalized for the traumatic brain injury, I had unwavering faith. It actually wasn’t intentional unwavering faith. I just didn’t believe there would be any other result other than full restoration. I was told that he would never be the same child, that he may have to live with a tracheostomy, that he may never have vision, and that he may never walk or talk again. But my little fighter is functioning as a normal toddler and is even potty training! My intention is to apply this type of faith to every part of my life. Just as a seed presses through the soil to bear it's fruit, I know that unwavering faith and perseverance will end with amazing results.

My encouragement to you is to consider whatever may be frustrating you and recognize the growth that may come. There are so many outside influences that affect each and every one of our lives’. But you want victory!!!! In order to reach the end successfully, keep your head up and press through. I wish I could make everyone’s life easy. I hate seeing the pain and frustration of anyone around me. If you spoke to those closest to me, they would tell you that I always try to encourage them all the way through their trials. The pain is real and I don’t want to ever take that away from anyone. But press past the pain, focus on what you want the ultimate outcome to be, and expect positive results!

Peace.