“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
Let me share a story that holds a profound lesson. I had a childhood friend whose mom faced a unique challenge—congenital insensitivity to pain and anhidrosis (CIPA). Like Mr. Deeds with the black foot, she felt nothing, even when stabbed with a fire poker. (I don’t recommend trying that, by the way.)
Back to the story. One day, she broke her ankle, oblivious to the pain that would have signaled something was wrong. For weeks, she walked on, thinking everything was normal until a visual cue alerted her to the issue. By the time she sought medical help, it was too late. Her foot was infected beyond repair, leading to its amputation.
What’s the point of this tale? If she could have felt the pain from her break, she could have addressed the injury and saved her foot. The absence of pain led to inaction, and that inaction led to destruction.
Now, consider this in your own life. Maybe you’re hurting, wondering why God would allow you to feel this way. Here’s a truth to remember: all pain has a purpose. It’s an indicator to our brain that something is wrong, a signal that demands attention.
So, if you’re experiencing pain, don’t ignore it. Instead, ask God why it’s there. Where did this pain come from? Seek God’s guidance to reveal the purpose within your pain. Ask what He’s trying to teach you or where He’s leading you through this experience.
Remember, inaction cannot be your decision when dealing with pain. Inaction leads to destruction. None of us desires pain, but sometimes, God uses it to protect, propel, and ultimately perfect us.