I Don't Like Pain

Have you ever cried so hard that it felt like your heart was hurting?   That's some intense pain.  I have experienced that recently myself and I don't like it.  

None of us enjoys pain.  I always say that I don't like pain because pain hurts too much.

Crying until you can't cry anymore is one of the most unpleasant experiences we will have in life.  As much as we do to try to avoid it, there is no way we can.    

God is there but sometimes you just don't want to hear that or anyone quoting a bunch of King James Bible verses.  That doesn't help.  Quoting the red letters of what Jesus said does me no good at the deepest point of my pain.  I'm sorry I have to be honest about it.   I'm a believer and I love God but when the pain hits, I just don't need Bible quotes or Christian cliches at that moment.

When we are really hurting words don't help us.  I think we all feel helpless when someone we love is hurting.  We think that we might can help with a word that will comfort them.   The best thing we can do is be there for someone.  We don't have to be in their grill but just a hug or squeeze of their hand speaks comfort.  

This recent experience I just couldn't speak.  I cried.  God understands tears.  If that's all we can do, that's what we need to do.  Pain is something He knows and He gives us time and space that we need to heal.  People around us may have their own time tables when they think we should be over something.  We all heal differently.  Sometimes the pain eases quickly, other times it takes a while and then there are times it sneaks up on us when we least expect it.

There are many Bible verses which tell us how God understands our pain.  I often hear people say "God is with us" but honestly when we are hurting it seems He is a million miles away.  It really doesn't do much good since God doesn't talk to us in an audible voice or can give us a physical hug that we could feel.  To me, that's very, very difficult.  Sure, I still trust God and BELIEVE He is there but sometimes we need a bit more than believing.  We need to feel it too.  

I often turn to songs when I'm hurting and the most common one I play is "Made Me Glad" by Hillsong.  Let me share the lyrics with you here:

I will bless the Lord forever
I will trust Him at all times
He has delivered me from all fear
He has set my feet upon a rock
I will not be moved
And I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield
My strength
My portion
Deliverer
My shelter
Strong tower
My very present help in time of need
Whom have I in heaven but You
There's none I desire besides You
You have made me glad
And I'll say of the Lord
You are my shield
My strength
My portion
Deliverer
My shelter
Strong tower
My very present help in time of need

Healing does take time but it is not true that time heals ALL wounds.  Sometimes it heals but there are times it leaves a scar.  The pain does subside but there are moments when the emotions overwhelm you again from a memory or a thought or anything that triggers the pain again.  It's not fun nor anything that can be remedied by words.  We all have our own ways - both good and bad - in dealing with pain and healing.  We need to give ourselves time that we need to heal.  

As for me, I'm still hurting.  The pain is real.  I have had moments when my emotions are overwhelmed but I find myself doing better each day.  You truly have to live it one day at a time.  Some days are better than others but you still try again each day.  Pain is a part of life.  It isn't the part we like but it is the reality of our journey. 

Cry if you need to.  

Give someone a hug.  

Be there.  

We are all in this together.