There are unavoidable pains and avoidable ones. Too often we allow the latter to follow the former. We act out, blame, and reciprocate in order to either rationalize, punish or pacify the hurt.  

Sometimes difficulty is unavoidable. Circumstances are tough or confusing due to no fault of our own. Our fallibility struggles to make sense of things. Certain aspects of life we cannot control.

We can also have avoidable pain. Ironically, avoidable pain often stems from attempts to circumvent unavoidable suffering. The paradoxical solution is to feel our pain honestly, for all it is worth. That can be a positive step toward discovering what is real and true.

In either case, avoidable or unavoidable, our pain is an opportunity. To learn. To grow. To see in new ways. To develop character and intimacy with God and others. When pain finds its way into our lives, we can make the choice to acknowledge it truthfully.

The pains of life can be pathways to blessing, if we have eyes to see. The momentary afflictions of this life can achieve an eternal benefit for us when we embrace the daily renewal offered by the resurrection power of Jesus residing within us.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

There are unavoidable pains and avoidable ones. Too often we allow the latter to follow the former. We act out, blame, and reciprocate in order to either rationalize, punish or pacify the hurt.  

Sometimes difficulty is unavoidable. Circumstances are tough or confusing due to no fault of our own. Our fallibility struggles to make sense of things. Certain aspects of life we cannot control.

We can also have avoidable pain. Ironically, avoidable pain often stems from attempts to circumvent unavoidable suffering. The paradoxical solution is to feel our pain honestly, for all it is worth. That can be a positive step toward discovering what is real and true.

In either case, avoidable or unavoidable, our pain is an opportunity. To learn. To grow. To see in new ways. To develop character and intimacy with God and others. When pain finds its way into our lives, we can make the choice to acknowledge it truthfully.

The pains of life can be pathways to blessing, if we have eyes to see. The momentary afflictions of this life can achieve an eternal benefit for us when we embrace the daily renewal offered by the resurrection power of Jesus residing within us.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:16-17