Learning Through Pain

Recently we had to bring our newly fostered cat, Tatami, to see a vet. Naturally, Tatami couldn’t quite understand what was going on and fought us with all she had.  First, it was over getting into the carrier.  She clawed hard in an attempt to escape the cold dark “jail” of the crate. When the inevitable eventually happened, she went silent for a long time - defeated, hurt, angry, upset, sullen, or perhaps terrified to be isolated and confined.  We tried talking to her, letting her know where we were headed - of course she couldn’t understand and remained inconsolable.

At the clinic, despite yelps and hisses, Tatami eventually received the treatment she needed. Back home, the battle continued as we administered medication amid vehement protest, fights, and eventual sulks. 

Through all these, I saw myself in Tatami.  Don’t I do the same when God allows a measure in my life that I absolutely do not welcome - and does not allow me to wriggle out of it despite my pleas and feeble resistance? And I wonder if I have enough faith and strength to remember that it may be for something greater and better – something which, like the cat, I do not yet have the capacity to understand. 

In all fairness, I have known from the start to expect suffering as an inevitable part of human existence.  Anyone who has lived long enough has had to deal with setbacks, crises, major challenges, loss, and pain. Human wisdom and folk proverbs say as much. Job put it this way, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7) – problems in life are as certain and natural as sparks rising from a campfire. 

Over and above that, as a Christian, I am reminded in God’s Word to expect hardship as part of our journey through life.  Like any child growing up, there were, must have been, and will continue to be times I stray or err and need chastisement.  I want to remember that it is because of my Father's love that I can expect discipline: “For whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6), and that “afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

 2 Timothy 3:12 offers another reason why God's people suffer: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."  Sometimes, it is precisely our faith, and our desire to live godly, that draws persecution. 

The Bible also reminds us that pain and suffering may come even in seasons of fruitfulness, so that we may bear more fruit. Jesus Himself said “…every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (Joh 15:2).  It took me many years to register that purging/pruning means cutting away of parts, and that implies definite pain.  When things we hold on to dearly, or parts of ourselves we treasure, are taken from our hands, the pain can feel unspeakable and unbearable.  At times, it resembles the excruciating burns of the fire that Zechariah describes: “…I will bring... through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried” (Zechariah 13:9).

Have you heard the account of the lady who watched a silversmith refining silver? She observed the fire roaring beneath the crucible, mercilessly burning away the dross, and asked, “How do you know when it’s done?”  He answered, “When I can see my image in it”.  The end result of refinement is something purer, more valuable, and able to reflect the image of God. 

Sometimes I think about how much I have learnt in the most difficult moments.  There are gaps in my faith, and when times are good, I rarely stop to consider what I lack.  In fact, I may even think I’m doing pretty well - until dire situations arise, and the mirror of the Word shows me how much more I must learn: to loosen my grip on things I have deemed critically important; to be humble enough to admit that, no matter how much I want to, there are many things I cannot control, manage, or even understand; to truly apply Philippians 4:6 and be anxious for NOTHING; to learn patience (James 1:3-4); to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18); to remember that He will never forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), and more.

It is often in the deepest pit that we see God's grace most clearly.  No wonder Paul said, “when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).  When I couldn't pray, I asked brethren to help - and I knew when they did, because it felt as though part of my burden had been borne.  When I felt I couldn't carry on, God allowed moments of respite - unexpected relief, a timely encouragement, or something that lifted my spirit.  Through each of these, I am reminded of His faithfulness and my need to trust. Paul's other words ring true: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). 

Whatever we may go through today will never come close to what the early Christians, and above all, our Lord Jesus, endured on earth. Jesus has the victory.  And so will we, by faith that overcometh the world (1 John 5:4).