16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Cor 4:16-18
The other day I took my youngest, Sophie, to the dentist for a filling. The doctor warned that the cavity was deep. He told me there might be discomfort to follow.
The next morning, Sophie came down to have some breakfast. She was not her usual spunky little self. She quietly trudged through the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and spoon, sat down and poured her cereal out into the bowl. While she lifted her spoon to her mouth she complained that the pain and soreness from the visit had not yet subsided. .jpg)
PINIMAGE
“Mom, my cheek is still sore! And,” pointing to her jaw she said, “it feels weird right here!”
I looked up from reading and told her with confidence that I would give her some ibuprofen and it would help to ease her pain.
It was clear she was grumpy. She continued to complain. But now she was no longer complaining about the pain. She was complaining about the medicine.
“It’s NOT going to work, Mom!” She went on for several minutes in a whiny, inconsolable tone.
Finally, I spoke up, “Sophie, I’m telling you it will work! Don’t you trust that Mommy knows what will work? What you need? I’ve been alive a long time! I know a lot of things. You are only nine years old. You can’t possibly know what I know. And I’m telling you the medicine will help to ease your pain!”
With an attitude of speculation and doubt she exclaimed, “Mom, how does it even know where to go?!?”
“Mom, how does it even know where to go?!?”
It took a moment to process what she had said. In her mind she couldn’t understand how swallowing some liquid, having it go to her belly, could address the pain in her cheek. I wonder if my questions to God sometimes sound like this? A smile crept to my face and she went silent. She knew she’d said something funny. Thankfully a smile started across her face as well. I got up from my chair and gave her a dose.
You know what? It didn’t take long at all for her to be feeling a whole lot better.
I sat back down and took a moment to reflect.
Observation #1: The pain was necessary.
There was decay threatening to spread in a tooth that had been compromised. I had to take her to the dentist. It was a productive, necessary pain.
I don’t like to see my children in pain but I know what they need. The decision to put her through pain was made because I want the best for her. If you are a parent, you know pain is sometimes necessary. God also knows, with perfect knowledge and understanding, that pain is necessary for us, His children.
Observation #2: Trust is imperative even when we don’t understand.
Why did Sophie question me? Doesn’t she know I love her? Doesn’t she know I know what’s best for her? How to help her in her need? She went from complaining about the pain to complaining about my plan to help her. She doubted me. After the medicine began to work, Sophie saw I was true to my word. She perked right up and found herself ready to tackle the day and the adventure in it. I too can trust God to always have a plan.
Observation #3: God is in control.
I, at times, as God’s child, find myself in places of discomfort – the pain lingering. I become grumpy and frustrated. I wonder why things couldn’t have been left well enough alone. What’s taking so long?! But decay cannot go unattended. He loves me too much. God’s hand sustains me in my time of difficulty if I will trust Him. How often I question and complain before placing my hand in His and allowing Him to walk me through the pain. I find, to my delight, there is great joy in holding out my hand, having Him take it and finding Him faithful. He is who He says He is. He will do what He says He will do.
I’m learning as I walk this journey that there will be times of necessary pain. He allows it and promises to walk us through it.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
Psalm 145:18-19
Today’s post may be a silly illustration, buy perhaps you find yourself in a season of pain. Perhaps you’ve questioned God and longed to return to “the way things were”. But God loves you too much to leave you where you were. He wants abundance for you and He knows you can find it in Him.
Child of God, whatever painful path He may be leading you on right now remember:
The pain is necessary.
Trust is imperative.
God is in control.
