Don't Waste Your Pain

A recent film release, “I Can Only Imagine,” tells the story of one young man’s painful past of verbal and physical abuse, and how that pain became a gateway of blessing to the world. 
One wonders why God gave us the capacity to feel emotional pain. It lurks in the recesses of the mind, disrupting relationships and personal achievement. It poisons memories and lingers far beyond whatever caused it. It stabs the heart.          .
Does emotional pain serve any good purpose? Yes — if we allow God to transform it.
Pain is the birthplace of empathy. We can only say “I know how you feel” if we have literally felt the pain that others endure.
Pain teaches us humility. It’s a reminder of our human frailty.
Pain causes us to seek God for comfort and hope. 
Pain can be the catalyst for ministry to others. We are to comfort with the comfort we receive from the Lord.
Pain can be channeled into creativity, inspiring songs, poetry and books. It brings a depth of meaning that only comes through hard experiences.
Rather than seeking victory over pain, perhaps we should seek victory through pain. Let it purify the soul and become a bridge to deeper understanding of the suffering around us.
So — don’t waste your pain! Let it take you down the path to forgiveness. Use it to bring hope and healing to others. That’s what Jesus did.