Years ago, my daughter had to receive some injections. I watched as the syringe went through her buttocks. She kept shouting, “Daddy! Daddy!! Daddy!!!” I was so moved with emotion that I contemplated delivering her from the pain. But I reasoned that she needed that pain to be fine health-wise.
Friend, there is a time when pain is a blessing. Actually, pain is a necessary part of life. But the kind of pain you choose and the way you handle your pain would determine what you get out of it. Basically, there are two kinds of pain; the pain of progress and the pain of problem, the pain of success, and the pain of failure. If you reject the pain of success, you have automatically signed up for the pain of failure.
The pain of progress is the pain or discomfort that you go through in order to make progress in life or achieve a desired result. Success, wholeness, progress, etc., all come at a cost (Proverbs 22:29). Failure also comes at a cost. Going through the pain of progress means that you would pay the price to make progress. The good news is that the joy of success would soon override the pain (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus understood what making progress and fulfilling purpose would demand. He called it a baptism of pain (Luke 12:49-50). He also asked the sons of Zebedee if they were willing to embrace the baptism of pain for the greatness they desired (Matthew 20:20-23).
There is the pain of divine discipline. This is the pain you go through when God is dealing with you (Hebrews 12:11). This pain is, however, temporary as it is meant to produce peaceable fruit of righteousness. The Psalmist saw the end result of correction, so he welcomed it gladly (Psalms 141:5).
There is the pain of pruning. Jesus promised to prune us so we could bear more fruit (John 15:2). Pruning is not an exciting process; it’s a painful one. When God is removing some things in your life; asking you to stop some habits, attitudes, behaviours, etc., it can be very painful. But this is what would guarantee a life of unending progress. Embrace the pain of progress so you won’t be a victim of the pain of problem. You will succeed. Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria