Comedian Rita Rudner said; “I think men who have pierced ears are better prepared for marriage, they’ve experienced pain and bought jewelry.”
Sometimes pain is humorous, isn’t it? The funniest movies of all time have situations of great physical pain in a humorous context. A couple of my favorites are; Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Ace Ventura When Nature Calls. During a classic scene in Monty Python, an obnoxious and prideful Knight gets his arms and legs chopped off and he brags, “tis but a flesh wound”.
During my favorite scene in Ace Ventura, Ace gets a spear stuck into each one of his legs and he hobbles around making funny faces and exclaims, “it’s in the bone—it’s in the bone.” I even laugh at real pain from everyday life as I watch fail videos on YouTube! It’s good to laugh at pain isn’t it—it has a soothing effect.
Unfortunately, our own pain isn’t very funny because the physical and emotional wounds of this life, damage and scars us. Pain is a part of our past and more pain is a part of our immediate future. Is there anyone out there praying, “Gosh, I’m so excited about the future pain that awaits me– please let it happen today Lord.” Pain can be confusing can’t it? We know more pain will come into our lives, and when it comes, we ask GOD, why?
Comedian Steven Wright said, “The last thing I want to do is hurt you—but it’s still on the list.” I think this is why we get confused about our relationship with GOD. We know He doesn’t like to see us in pain, but pain is still on the list–we know more pain will come. As Christians, the stark reality of our time on Earth is; pain and trials are a path to Christ likeness. I really don’t like that truth–it irritates me and it scares me.
In the garden of Gethsemane, before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 NIV
When I go through pain or a trial, I raise the same issue to the Father. “Is there really no other way Lord? If you can do anything, then why this way?” In the end, the best way through is knowing the one who knows pain. Friedrich Nietzsche said, “To live is to suffer, to survive is to find meaning in the suffering.” What’s the meaning of a Christians suffering?
An irritant serves a valuable purpose in the process of a pearls formation. When a parasite (irritant) enters an oyster shell, the parasite irritates the oyster and the oyster begins coating the irritant.
After years of coating, and layer upon layer has been applied, the irritant transforms into a beautiful lustrous pearl. This is one of the primary reasons why Jesus allows pain in this world. Pain enters our lives because of sin in this world. We can let the ways of the flesh shape us, (that’s what I did) or, if we lay the pain at Jesus feet, if we allow him to transform us from the inside out, he’ll begin coating the irritant with Himself. After a lifetime of walking with the Lord, and after layer upon layer of Jesus has been applied, a beautiful transformation takes place.
In a Christians life, pain is the irritant–Christ likeness is the pearl.
What is our hope today? That Jesus will never leave us or forsake us–He will help us though the process. Maybe you’re at your wits end trying to deal with your pain. Maybe you feel alone because of your level of suffering. Maybe you feel like there’s no end in sight. All of those things can be absolutely true. What to do then? Raise your level of sight. You can look up and know the one who can transform your pain into a pearl.
The Bible says: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV
Revelation 21:4 says;
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. For the old order of things has passed away.
Reflections
Allow GOD’s word to encourage you–don’t just look at your pain—look up!