An interesting section in the book Man to Man by Charles Swindoll tells us that pain is essential to our lives. It is a mechanism, maybe the mechanism that God uses to bring us closer to him. The scriptural basis for this is in Psalms 119.
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep thy word. It was good for me to be afflicted that I may learn.
Oftentimes God does not get our attention until we are flat on our backs, down for the count. It is not until our will, our pride, our stubbornness, are beaten out of us that we have eyes to see and ears to hear. A.W. Tozer said "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply.". Suffering and pain are necessary for us, essential to soften our spirits and to allow us to come to a point where we can be moved by the spirit and be able to hear that "still, small voice".
How have the major setbacks in your life shaped you for the good? As you look back and consider these experiences with a critical eye, knowing what you know now, were they worth it? Would you willingly submit to the pain if you knew what would come out of it? What if it brought you face to face with God? Stay tuned, more to come.
