Article: LIFE'S PAINFUL WOES

Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 08:06 PM

LIFE'S PAINFUL WOES
By Patrick D. Andrews

A few days ago, I watched the most important little guy in my life as he recovered from the anesthesia that the doctors had administered a few hours earlier. His eight-year-old experiences had never included anything remotely close to all that is associated with a tonsillectomy. I sat helplessly nearby as I watched the tears swell in his eyes and the hurtful expressions that were on his little face as he endured the "fix or cure" for another problem.

The Apostle Paul, many centuries ago, understood life, pain, and circumstances. 2Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Regardless of what some rogue persecutors might "dish out," the answer to it all is in the assurance of the promised reward.

The experience of pain makes the absence of pain so much better. Understanding pain is helpful as we understand it and avoid the injuries that cause it. It's painful to watch an Abilene mother plead for the safe return of her baby and it's painful to watch John Walsh describe his experiences in the loss of his little boy--Adam. We relate to the pain on the faces of Pennsylvania wives who wring their hands as rescue efforts are effected to save the miners trapped below. We are aware of the raging flood waters and the devastation that they bring to families from all walks of life. Over and again, I have listened as survivors express their thankfulness to just be alive.

We open the pages of our dictionary and read that pleasure is the opposite of pain. That being the point of reference, we cannot understand pleasure without the experiences of pain. Reflect on your own experiences of happiness. Most of them are preceded by an element of pain.

A hard days work of chopping wood, building fence, tilling the soil is followed by the end of day's hot bath and a self-administered massage of tired feet. The August heat and high humidity can nearly take your breath--the artificially cool environment is a welcomed respite. When eating has been put off for the whole day, every bite of the evening meal surely tastes better. The comforting sight of a newborn baby is wonderful, but pain was experienced for the new life to be born. Pleasure is better appreciated after the endured pain.

Although Auerelius Augustinus of Tasgaste and his "conversion" to Christianity spawned some doctrines which are not so right (the doctrine of predestination), and some of his followers also proffered some of these same beliefs (Calvin & Luther), we can still find some good information from his writings. Under the title of "Confessions," he wrote, "What is it, therefore, that goes on within the soul, since it takes greater delight if things that it loves are found or restored to it than if it had always possessed them? Other things bear witness to this, and all are filled with proofs that cry aloud, 'Thus it is!' ....The storm tosses seamen about, and threatens them with shipwreck: they all grow pale at their death. then the sky and the sea become calm and they exult exceedingly, just as they had feared exceedingly. a dear friend is ill, and his pulse tells us of his bad case. All those who long to see him in good health are in mind sick along with him. He gets well again, and although he does not yet walk with his former vigor, there is joy such as did not obtain before when he walked well and strong." Augustine's' conclusion: "everywhere a greater joy is preceded by a greater suffering."

No pleasure without pain. We have an expectation of Heaven's eternal pleasures. However pain precedes it--it was painful for God to witness the sins of His created man. Perhaps the greatest pain of it was His knowledge of what it would take for man to finally enjoy eternal pleasure. Consider God's unending love--consider the greatness of His love in giving up His only begotten Son. Think of the agony that was anticipated and then endured on Calvary's Cross. His pain--our pleasure--then we react, as did the grateful Paul of Tarsus. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Idolatry and impurity are painful. Sins of sexual unfaithfulness, sorcery and witchcraft, trouble making, jealousy, wrathfulness, drunkenness, wild parties, and complacency hurt. Rather than preaching and teaching how painful sin is, some have set a course of not condemning anything and condoning everything. They are attempting to teach love for one another, without teaching love and obedience for God.

If mankind truly believed that he is a sinner and in need of a Savior, he would appreciate the pleasure of being saved. However, we don't feel the greatness of the pleasure because we've failed to understand the painfulness of the sin. Only when we have experienced the painfulness of sin, can we enjoy the pleasure of righteousness--fruit of the Spirit--love beyond explanation and understanding--joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Perhaps the greatest thing for which we should be thankful is pain. Pain helps us appreciate pleasure. When I was growing up, my dad would say, "It'll sure feel good when it quits hurting." In Christ, it feels good, because it's quit hurting--He's taken all my sins away.