Hope in the Midst of Pain - Chapter Nineteen

Hope in the Midst of Pain.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning

or crying or pain.

Revelation 21:4a

Several days ago, something bit my foot underneath my big toe. In the morning, I walked without effort, but by late afternoon, the pain made it impossible to place my foot on the floor. The next day my foot was red, swollen, and my ankle puffed up like a pin cushion. I don’t like going to the doctor, but I realized without overnight improvement I would have no option. Before going to bed, I prayed for healing.

Finally, I dozed off to sleep fully expecting a trip to the doctor would consume my next morning. But, when I awakened, I could tell there was some change for the better. So, I waited. Over the last week, my foot has improved a little each day. I’m in flip flops and able to place the full weight of my body on my foot; a little redness and soreness remains. Healing is almost complete.

Moments spent sitting with my foot elevated gave me time to think about the kinds of pain that cover our world. Satan would like to use that pain to shroud your world and mine in hopelessness. Pain scatters through the body like a farmer scatters feed in a chicken coup. It goes everywhere. And when no relief is found, physical pain can become emotional pain—emotional pain can become physical pain.

The pain of long-term or terminal illness can result in mental anguish, distress, misery, anxiety, worry, and grief. The pain of lost friendship or broken relationship might cause you to build a wall around your heart in hope that no one will ever be able to hurt you again. The pain of missing out on an opportunity you prayed and hoped for might cause you to give up, stop trying, or decide you will never accomplish your goals. 

Pain is real. Pain can be hurtful or excruciating; uncomfortable or grievous; stinging or searing. Pain hurts!

But, in some instances, pain brings hope and healing. An arm pain might cause you to see your doctor in time to discover a serious heart condition. Stomach pain might lead to the discovery of a tumor in time to save your life. The pain of grief may lead you into a more intimate relationship with The Almighty.

Your ultimate hope of freedom from pain will come as you drop the chains from your earth-bound body and your spirit rises to forever be with the Lord. But here and now, on planet earth, you have this hope:

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart.

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly

we are being renewed day by day. For our light

and momentary troubles are achieving for

us an eternal glory that far outweighs

them all. So we fix our eyes

not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen.

For what is seen

is temporary,

but

what

is

unseen

is

eternal.”

When instinct invites you to flee trials, to give in to temptation, or to give up in despair, REMEMBER even when you are right in the middle of pain and suffering, God’s will is working in you.

Romans 8:17-18 Now if we are children, then we are

heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed

we share in his sufferings in order that we may also

share in his glory. I consider that

our present sufferings are not

worth comparing

with the glory

that will

Be revealed in us.”

Never forget:

Psalm 147:3 He heals

The brokenhearted

and

binds up

their

wounds.

There is hope in the midst of pain. “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27b)

Hope for Daily Living

Are you presently enduring some physical and/or emotional pain?

Have you lost heart, or are you on the verge of just giving up? If so, why?

Write 1 Peter 5:9-10.

Read Psalm 50:15, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 6:2, Psalm 68:19. Write your praise to God here.

Heavenly Father,

You are my comfort in my sufferings because Your promise preserves my life. Your Word gives me patience and encouragement so that I can have hope in the midst of good times and bad times. I know You will work all things together for good. Forgive me during times of doubt and confusion. I know you are Almighty God who delivers and rescues Your children. Thank you for being my hope in the midst of pain. In the precious Name of Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen and Amen.

© Joyce Powell