A Few Notes-8-31-18

Brethren,

I hope you had a positive week!

 

Just some thoughts…

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).

 As you all know, Mr. McNair has had surgery on his knee and thankfully, it has been healing very well. It has been a slow process and it has required a good bit of work on his part by keeping up with the physical therapy recommended by the doctor.

 As we talked about his progress this week, he mentioned the pain associated with the stretching and pulling of the rehab work out, and just pushing through it in order to get better. Many of us have dealt with similar situations, some to lesser degrees, and some to greater.

 Pain can be a sign that our body is being damaged, or that we’re damaging it, or that something is wrong that needs attention. Yet, we may also experience pain when rehabilitating from an injury, like in Mr. McNair’s case. Either way, there’s pain involved, but there are two different end results.

 One will result in a further damage and even more pain, and the other will result in a healed, stronger body with little to no pain.

 It’s interesting, the similarities with the spiritual and emotional pains/troubles of life. When we were living our own ways, or we break God’s laws now, there were/are pains and troubles because we’re causing damage to ourselves and others, spiritually and emotionally. However, as we strive to live God’s way of life it doesn’t take away life’s troubles, rather, they’re there for our growth, so we’ll be more like Christ. When we experience trouble and pain while living God’s way, there is hope that the pain will end, and we’ll be the better for it.

 Just like with the pain associated with rehabilitation, it hurts, but it is the only way we’ll get better. When we know that pushing through the pain will produce good results, it makes it much easier to manage. Yet, if we do everything we can to avoid the pain of rehabilitation, we’ll only regress! Repentance hurts, but if we don’t repent, we’ll only get worse.

 If we’re going to grow, as God’s people, we have to be willing (with God’s help) to endure the pains/trials that God allows to help us grow. Troubles caused by continuing in sin will cause real damage. But, when we obey God and we know God is allowing the pain for our good, it can be easier to bear, and there is hope that it is for something much better.

Warm regards,

Mike DeSimone