Pains of all types are problems that no one likes to deal with. I mean, since when has it ever been a thing to want to go through something that could literally take our breath away? When pain is so acute that it seemingly leaves us paralyzed?
Mike Tyson said, "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." We could say that we're probably doing alright in life until we get punched in the mouth with some sort of pain issue.
Forward Friday is a reminder that we need to empathize and support people when they go through the tough moments of life.
Easter is the story of ultimate triumph and victory over the grave but along the way, pain is drenched in the story. There is some good medicine in the form of considering how we can stand with those in pains of many types at the end so be encouraged as we pilgrimage together in this week's post.
Let’s Get into This!
Pain..... I don’t think anyone will admit that we like pain. Pain hurts, pain stings, pain can be debilitating, pain can be devastating, pain can be extremely distressing and sometimes, people seems to be blind to the fact that just because in one's eyes, certain pain are not equal, pain is still pain for the one dealing with it.
Pain has always been around but these past 2 years has acerbated the level and acuteness of the things people have gone through and still are going through.
Consider:
-The families who, lost a loved one of any cause during the past 2 years and in some cases, only 10 people were allowed to help them share in their grief some, none at all. We know now that many limitations were an overreach but those families live with the pain, loss and in some cases, never experienced the loving arms, hugs, tears, time with friends to carry the burden.
- The families who either lost or weren't able to see aged family because they were in residences where entry was next to impossible. Some died away from family, some are still alive but just a shell of their former self because of the sheltering away from people.
-The restaurant/business owner who, followed all the rules and protocols to stay open after shut downs only to be shut down again. Some never opened again, some are surviving on fumes, hoping they can recover when they should have never had to deal with such things.
-The parents of children who are already showing developmental delays from the masks, the shut downs, the distancing from other children, the social anxiety that has been implanted in these precious children's minds and parents are now worried if their children will outgrow this period of time as they grow older.
-The families that have seen their unit flipped upside down by separation, divorce, substance abuse, mental health issues etc.
-The husband/wife who never saw the split coming and are trying to pick up the pieces.
-The former student who has struggled with the pain of being isolated for almost 2 years, from friends, family, recreation, exercise and how it has affected their mental outlook. (Side Note: They finally got in to the gym this week!!)
-The high school students who are nervous about being around other young people and their social anxiety is such that they have a hard time coming to school and the 4 walls of their home seem like a trap but they feel stuck because it's pretty much what they've known for 2 years.
-How about the family members who have decreed that they want nothing to do with other family members because they made a decision that was different than what the others did and for that, they were/are ostracized or banished from being in contact with those family members.
-Friends who known each other for years but because of different choices made, they are friends no more.
-The sickness that is a battle people face. Some do not make it out or through the sickness and the loved ones have live through the pain of loss.
-Sometimes, the sickness may not kill the body but there is a daily pain and suffering component to life that makes each day a struggle to get through....
One may say, "Isn't this kind of depressing? Give me some good news please!"
One could be right yet sometimes, we human beings need to see with our eyes some of the pain others could be going through because pain is no respecter of persons.
We need to see with our eyes some of the pain others could be going through because pain is no respecter of persons.
It is also important to see that just because we may not experience a certain pain does not mean that the pain another person is experiencing isn't real or not at the same level we may think pain should be at.
After all, since when did we on our own become the barometer on how bad someone's pain actually is?
Last fall, people were threatened with losing their jobs if they did not comply with a medical decision that until last year was unheard of in our society that one could lose their job if they didn't comply.
The crazy thing is, there were those who felt those who didn't comply deserved the fate of job loss.
I know what it was like growing up at times with very little, at times on my own with things being ultra tight and barely scraping by but I could not even imagine being decimated by such warped action and having those who for some reason lost their empathy along the way.
Some tough stuff when we actually stop, think and consider the pain that people have/are suffering and the list is longer than the ones we mentioned.
It is almost fitting that on the pilgrimage to Easter Sunday, there was a bloody, horrific, painful Friday that was endured.
So it should be that because we all encounter pain in some way, shape or form, maybe we should be ones in any way we can figure out ways to walk along side the broken, hurting, in pain people we meet.
Because we may not need it now but there will be a time where we need comfort as we walk through our pain moments.
So, Now Some Good Medicine
The pilgrimage to Easter is laced with pain, triumph, compassion, empathy, wonder moments and the raising of Lazarus from the dead certainly fits the bills in many ways.
Sometimes, we wonder if God knows we're suffering and dealing with what we`re dealing with. I can assure you he does and this story certainly rings with certainty that nothing escapes His attention, especially where you and I are concerned.
This story takes place approximately 4 months before the crucifixion and resurrection Of Jesus.
It is a fascinating story. John 11:1-45
The Highlights:
-Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha was very sick.
Word got to Jesus that he was sick. Jesus said that his sickness wasn't going to end in death. Yet he did die.
-The family and friends are in pain as he has been in the tomb 4 days.
-There are many facets to this incredible account, but to the problem of pain, Jesus sees the sisters, the people who are frustrated, hurt, trying to console each other and it troubles him deeply.
-He asks where was Lazarus laid and when he gets there...........
-The shortest verse in the Bible and it says, "Jesus Wept."
-My friend Dale, a long time ago had to give a short talk in our orchestra practice and I've never forgotten it. Not only what because he said but how he said it.
-He said, "Because we know that Jesus wept, it helps us know that He really cared/cares." So simple yet so profound.
Comfort and suffering are inextricably linked, and that isn’t a coincidence. Comfort cannot be present where pain has been absent. Where there is suffering, there can be soothing. Where there is soothing, there is a Savior. He is not only a God who brings comfort; He is the God of all comfort.
So sometimes, we’re mad at God for we wonder why He didn’t stop the pain. I’ve asked the question at times over the pain moments but a wise person once said that if His Son wasn’t spared a cruel death which was for our healing and deliverance, then we will have the painful moments…
But… because of that suffering, we know who to go to for in our times of need.
So here are some scripture verses to help us in our times of need.
I’m thankful for these hope filled, life giving scriptures……
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
It takes time to heal so let’s not give up right away.
Last Take:
So, we see that Jesus not only healed and brought Lazarus back to life but before that incredible, miracle, Jesus was moved with compassion with the pain that Lazarus's family and friends were going through that it moved him to tears.
Could it be that we might be seeing ourselves in some of the pain mentioned above or maybe we have contributed to someone's pain knowingly or not?
Could we not show the way and reach out to those we know are struggling, those who have been put off to the side and are suffering?
To reach out by a call, text, a visit to connect and we now can hit up the coffee shops and restaurants and we don't need to show anything to get in so the windows are wide open for us to be agents of compassion and care.
Even on the pilgrimage to Easter especially this Easter, healing, comfort can come through our hands to others and the reverse can be true for us and we will get through those moments; maybe a little burned, scuffed up, tussled, a little Smokey but coming through.
It's never easy but we can get through with God`s help and those around us!
I think lastly, it should be stated that bad theology or thinking has said that when pain comes, we must deserve it or we did something bad to deserve it.
Nothing is further from the truth.
The pain we may be going through is not a punishment. Our struggles are not because we didn’t pray the right way, or because we have weak faith etc. God will use our pain in ways that we may not understand now, but one day we will. One day we will see how God used our pain to prepare us for an incredible future! (2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!).
Walking on the road to Easter with you……
Dave
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