Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. Psalm 86:1 (NASB)
It an inescapable truth that to some degree every one of us lives with pain. Pain is a result of the fall of man (Gen 3) and the entrance of sin into the world. What a different life we would have had if Adam and Eve would have obeyed God and not tasted the fruit from the Tree of Life! That one act, a brief moment in time, has changed everything for God's finest creation, mankind.
Because of that act of disobedience one of the greatest joys, childbirth, is terribly painful. We also feel the pain of degradation as our bodies break down as we age. We experience heartache as others sin against us, and we hurt others for the same reason. However, I do believe the most wearing kind of pain is chronic pain because it threatens to take over a person's life.
For I am afflicted and needy, And my heart is wounded within me. Psalm 109:22 (NASB)
Emotionally, chronic pain can do a real number on a person. Extended suffering of any kind quickly becomes difficult to deal with, and when the pain eliminates or severely restricts the lifestyle of the suffer the heart begins to reveal what lurks within. Anger, bitterness, rage, and depression are all common byproducts of chronic pain. The truth is, it doesn't have to be that way.
If you suffer from chronic pain may I ask you what you believe to be true about your state? Do you believe that the pain you live with is for your good? Too many women wrongly believe that chronic pain and suffering are God's way of punishing them for some sinful act. While we do experience the consequences of our deeds, God is not in the business of punishing believers. God intends to bring good out of your pain, the good that comes from becoming more like the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71 (NASB)
There is no greater good than being fashioned into the likeness of Christ. Therefore, you can be thankful for what God is doing in you even as you live with the pain. I know some reading this will be very angry at my statement and believe I am insane for suggesting they be thankful for unrelenting pain and misery. However, I am not the originator of the thought!
always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; Ephesians 5:20 (NASB)
in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB)
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15 (NASB)
Are you thankful for everything in your life, including the pain that He allows you to live with? If not, you must examine your heart in light of the Scriptures and repent. To be anything other than thankful truly is sinful. I understand it is hard and the command may seem impossible to obey! Please know that I am not saying this with a hard heart...my desire is that we become obedient to the Lord that He might be glorified in our lives.
You have come to the place where you believe that since God has brought you to this place in life it is purposeful and intentional. God makes no mistakes, and there are no accidents. Everything He does and allows in our lives has a purpose and it all adds up to bring glory to His name.