So we’re not giving up. How could we! 2 Cor 4:16 (MSG)

PART 1 – Us and Pain

“Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” Said the Man in Black to Princess Buttercup.

Does anyone know what movie this line is from? (Comment below with your guess!)

Whether you have faith or not, we’ve all met pain. Some of us know him better than others, but either way, we’ve all had him sit at our table, drink our tea, and deliver stories of woe and horror. Sickness, financial hardship, fear, loneliness, hate, violence and more… all parts of the tales he weaves into our lives. No one is immune. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, pain is consistent with its inclusion. He is no respecter of persons, race, gender, culture or faith. He befriends all.

(How's that for uplifting?)

Christ tells us that because of him we will experience hardships. Pain doesn’t come from him, but pain will use our faith and people's receptivity to it as the road to deliver affliction. Nowhere does the bible promise us a pain-free life. In fact, the opposite is true – life guarantees pain.

Whenever pain presents the story of what we are about to experience, or are experiencing, it leaves us with a choice to make. Do we let pain ravage us? Or do we dig deep and uncover buried treasure that can only be found during times of great pressure?

At times, it's easier to abandon ourselves to pain. Especially when the hurt is so deep, so vile and strong – the loss of a child or loved one, the pain of betrayal, life threatening situations… they beg for our allegiance. And often we surrender to its violence.

But we can choose another way (its a moment by moment, day by day choice). We can choose to ride the waves of pain rather than being drowned by it. We don't have to be its slave.

Sometimes we use faith as a means to stay disillusioned to our situation. There is no benefit to denying your circumstances. “I’m not sick, I’m not experiencing hardship – in Jesus name!” Rather, faith says,

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

I’m not giving up.

No matter the pain, hardship, and heartache, we can learn, we can grow, we can find beauty in the brokenness of life and see God in a whole new way. Deeper. Fuller. Stronger.

Pain in and of itself does not destroy us. Our response to it makes all the difference. Jesus is not trying to sell you something. He’s not offering you a ‘two for the price of one’ pain-free existence… he wants to lead us through life’s struggles (it's fire-swamps and ROUSes). He’s lighting up our darkness, filling up our weaknesses and showing us how never to give up, no matter what.

“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” – Brené Brown.

Go to PART 2 – Heartache Tonight

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