The power of pain in life is unmistakable and undeniable. Trying to avoid pain, mask it, or attempting to run from it just energizes its negative effects. So what destroys the power of pain in a person's life if the trouble that produces the pain is such an obvious part of living in this world (Job 5:7)?
First, every believer should accept that trouble, and the pain that results from it, are a part of life (Job 14:1). The enemy comes as a thief to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a). He attacks with thorns in the flesh (II Cor. 12:7). He, the demons, and those who volunteer to do his bidding, or who unwittingly support him, press Christians hard on every side, bringing difficulties that cause perplexing thoughts, persecution of believers, and, even, striking them down (II Cor. 4:8,9). But the acceptance of the trouble in life, with its resulting pain, can't be an acceptance accompanied by resignation, raising the white flag of surrender, or capitulation. "Ok, my enemy is unseen and strong so I'll just accept defeat and wait for the bliss of Heaven, after he finally finishes me off. After all, it's Adam and Eve's fault for allowing him to bring his onslaught against me and win in this life. At least I win the war after arriving in Heaven, even though I lost the majority of the battles here on earth." If Jesus would have held this type of defeatist attitude, then He would have never raised from the dead (here on earth), but He would have had to raise in Heaven. No one here on earth would have been an eye-witness of His victory and the celebration on earth called Easter (really every Sunday morning) would have been negated. Crazy!
Secondly, Father has already provided for us the ability to confront trouble and receive healing of our pain beginning with the cross. We are "always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." Therefore, we are hard-pressed, yet, not crushed. We are perplexed, but not in despair. We are persecuted, but not forsaken. We are struck down, but not destroyed (II Cor. 4:8-11). The thief steals, kills, and destroys, but the eternally abundant life provided by Jesus at the cross overwhelms his thievery, death, and destruction (John 10:10). The attacks that lodge like thorns in the flesh lose their sting in light of God's sufficient grace and mighty power resting on us (II Cor. 12:7-10). This means that death and burial result in resurrection for all our areas of trouble and pain one way or another. As a result, principalities and powers have been disarmed, and they have become a public spectacle (for those with Kingdom eyes to see) because of His triumph over them (Col. 2:15).
So.......we can firmly believe that the tribulation, trouble, suffering, and affliction of life WILL be comforted, so that we can be a ministry of comfort to others. It is very important to trust in the consolation and deliverance of the Lord because it is always there for us to step into (II Cor. 1:3-11). Father will even give us the faith to believe it as a gift (Eph.2:8).
Next Installment: What Destroys the Power of Pain? 2
