The Healing Power of Pain

When I was much younger I discovered that I could burn the itch out of Mosquito bites in the shower by scalding the bite with super hot water. And if I gave it a prolonged burn, there was an added bonus of the welt disappearing not long after the shower ended. At first the hot water hurt but after a few seconds the water began to scratch the itch in such wonderful ways that my finger nails never could, without damaging my skin. I have since gone on to use hot shower water to scratch almost every itch that I can not reach and most that I can. It is amazing how effective it is. The hotter the water the better it scratches the itch.

As I said earlier the hot water hurts at first, but it soon becomes soothing and enjoyable. And when I reduced the temperature of the water to what previously felt hot it now felt cold. And what felt warm to me now was too hot for most people to endure.

There are many parallels in life to this. When God allows us to struggle and endure prolonged pain, if we receive it properly it becomes therapeutic. And afterwards, we emerge from the trial stronger and able to endure more than we could have previously. From this we are able to help others who are going through similar trials and give them hope beyond their moment of pain.

Receive the trials you endure with an expectation of victory and let God use the pain He allows in your life to mold you into the vessel He can use.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.