The Way Forward - Dealing With Pain in My Life “Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, 2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds. 4 You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood” (Hebrews 12:1-4, AMP). A child whose face appeared so contorted was asked by his mother, “Johnny, why are you looking that way - are you in pain?” The boy replied innocently, “No, mum, I’m not in pain, the pain is in me.” Today, so many people are in pain – in trouble, calamity, & distress. Some other people simply have pain in them - pain ravaging their bodies through sickness, dis-eases, bitterness & lack of forgiveness. Whether you are in pain or the pain is in you, pain is never a fun thing! Pain is a weight that slows us down from running the race that is set before us effectively & timely. The spiritual, physical & moral spheres came under the consequences of rebellion and the judgment of sin since the Fall. Everything simply became tainted with pain & discomfort. “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:20-23). Sin brought judgment. Judgment brought pain and dis-ease. The creation including vegetation was subjected to futility and devaluation. Even creation groans & labors with birth pangs, and much more our bodies! Everything depreciates and, or dies after a while! There is so much pain from man to man injustices, natural disasters, demonic attacks in form of oppression, depression, obsession and possession, & believers are not immuned from some of these pains! James, the half-brother of Jesus said, “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses[e] to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (Jas. 5:13-16). The Bible gives us a promise as an anchor to hold on to and a direction to follow. “Be Patient. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jas. 1:2-3). Prayer Focus Ask God to reveal the hidden pain in your heart & the source of the pain. Pray for healing, recovery & supernatural deliverance from the pain. Confess any hidden fault to the Lord & to anyone who might have been affected by your action that caused some pain in their lives. Stand on Scriptural promise that the affliction shall not arise the second time in your life.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 17:18:02 +0000
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