I struggle. I struggle with my response to pain and suffering in my life. I want to avoid it at all costs, the world tells me over and over again this is ok. I take Aleve, Tylenol, Advil to escape pain. I sleep to make the worst headaches go away when other things will not work. I avoid “ugly situations” in hopes that my life will remain problem free. I avoid making people mad and frustrating others that my comfort and security in how they feel about me remains untouched. I have heating and cooling to make me comfortable. Cars to drive. A house that although by today’s standards of house costs is a deal, is a palace of indescribable value and luxury to much of the population of the world that exists in 3rd world countries where clean water is not an option. I don’t bring myself pain and suffering in my struggle against sins. Sins such as gluttony, complacency, my thought life, my lack of love for others. I see in many ways that I don’t go the distance to embrace pain and suffering in areas that require it that I might know Christ more. I don’t in any way want to be in the midst of pain and suffering in any aspect of my life. I struggle with that. why? because it is unbiblical to avoid pain at the extent to which I often avoid it. Does any of this sound familiar to you? in your life?

I dislike this about myself. But the true question is, what will I do about it. More over, what will Christ do in me about it. Not to lay the responsibility on Him, it is mine to bear, but He must empower my efforts to lay down these habits and actions in exchange for those that bring me closer to Him and the joy of that. Look at this verse from Hebrews that shows Christ’s willing embrace of pain and suffering compared with our feeble complaining of the things that we endure.

Hebrews 12:1-6 and on…
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary
3Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Look how verse 3 shows that considering Christ’s work is to encourage us in our struggles. That shows me that it is not natural for the flesh to embrace pain and suffering. This encourages me, it shows me the feeling is natural, but what encourages me more is that we are called out by Christ to be like Him, He promises persecution, trials and struggles, in all different ways. Not only does He call us to it, but He Himself willingly subjected himself the full distance unto death. We may not get called that far, but it is our example to follow. What makes it possible to do so? Faith. and a mindset and vision that the immediate world is not all that there is, but that there is a greater prize and reward waiting on the other side of death for those that love Him and are called by Him. an eternity with the Living God, Creator, Wonderful Savior. Without that desire, a view of the joy that is to come, not much can be endured. There is no joy in the things of this world or virtue in pain and suffering in themselves enough to persevere you.

God brings discipline on His children. If you read on, you see how this is for our good, and it often is not pleasant at the time, but in retrospect it is viewed as necessary and appreciated. I will develop these thoughts more in this post and the next. But for now, think of how we are programmed to avoid all pain and suffering and sorrow. compare that with Christ’s sacrifice. You will see that they are diametrically opposed. I want to be on the side of Christ. more later. May God bless your thoughts and prayers, your days and actions.