The Author Called Pain

I have listened to different life stories; heard stories of roaring victories after defeat; stories of stupendous gain after loss; stories of unimaginable strength after weakness. In the recount of these stories, there were varying degrees of pain and sadness, some were so overwhelming, especially if it had to do with dealing with the death of a loved one. There are some stories however that just had nothing but pain in it from start to finish, just as if pain was writing the story itself.

I'm attending the funeral of a dear friend today and theirs' was also a heart-breaking story, one filled with lots of painful experiences.
We are the author of our lives, just as Jesus is the author of our faith. We are not the maker but definitely the author. Now, I know reading this, you may wonder how that can be, when sometimes we are not in control of things that happen to us whether good or bad.
Yes, there are things that happen to us that are outside our control but how they shape our lives is up to us; how we weave it into the theme of God's pre-ordained purpose for our lives is totally up to us.

[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].
Hebrews 12:2 AMP

I believe most things that happen to us in life, usually things that test us or try to break our spirits are designed to put us outside the purpose of God, especially His purpose for our lives.
No matter what could have happened to us, that's in the past now and we have got to get back up again and keep it moving.

Yes, we need to deal with it but not dwell on it.
Don't let the pain define you, don't let it be the theme on which your story is written. Everything God made is good and you are good, your life is good no matter what you've had to face or presently facing.
I recently had to lift up a precious teen with words of encouragement and prayers, as they've had to deal with the diagnosis of a long-term condition which could disrupt life as they know it. In that situation, as I despaired and searched for how to understand and be there for them, I was opened up to stories of amazing people who have had to deal with unimaginable pain and yet you'd never know because, they kept on living life, smiling and bringing joy to others.
Then, I remembered that even Jesus, never forgetting the sacrifice He was to make on the cross, never hid away but was out there travelling, preaching the word of God and doing so much good while at it.
When you allow pain to define your story, you do yourself a great injustice because you'd have relinquished your victory to the very thing that challenged you to battle in the first place and then you'll realise you are still on the battlefield fighting for your life.
It never ceases to amaze me how pain can carry so much weight that can literally knock folks to the ground. The weight can be crushing, overwhelming and more often than not impossible to bear. I have seen people bent, hunched over, due to the weight of this awful thing called pain. I have been there too.
Not allowing pain take hold of your existence doesn't mean you are denying the pain, in most cases the pain brings clarity and purpose when channelled correctly.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger - Words famously sang by Kelly Clarkson.

Pain is pain and that is why we should never minimise someone else's pain but rather seek to bring comfort to them wherever we can.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. - Romans 8 vs 18

Hang in there and remember that you are bigger than the difficult situation you are currently in. It will surely pass and even with that, don't forget to look around you to see who could do with a smile or a helping hand.

Love always

Ige.xx