A Blessing In Pain?

When I think of pain, I am reminded of a woman who is in labor, there water has broken and they are experiencing severe pains but confident that in just a short while a blessing will be entering the world. I don’t know anyone who willingly volunteers to go through pain, heartache or disappointment. God through his written word assures us that everything has it’s time, season and purpose and this includes pain.

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven… – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Yet we are often told that there is a blessing in everything we walk through in this life. Arguably, the birthing process for a woman in labor must be one of the most painful experiences in her life, yet this extremely painful experience has the potential to produce so much joy.

When I experience an event in my life that causes me pain or discomfort I immediately listen to my friends recording of him speaking in tounges. Why? His recording ushers me into the presence of God. We as human’s run into a lot of issues trying to understand pain and it’s purpose. I have asked God to help me find the blessing in each painful and uncomfortable experience. I stopped trying to understand everything, I stopped fighting, I stopped crying because I am standing on God’s promise that everything shall work for my good. I am determined to fight like I already have the victory. Do I like pain? No. I am never going to stick my hand up in the air and ask God to give me a headache, but I am determined that daily I shall worship him. As attitude or praise and worship certainly makes pain more bearable. 

Everything in our world, except for fitness experts tell us to avoid pain at all costs.  The older I get the more I am starting to believe that maybe the fitness experts were on to something with their expression “No Pain, No Gain”.  I am the first to admit I hate pain, I hate everything pain represents, but I respect how God uses pain for his purpose in my life. Yet no matter how much you run from pain, before your life is over you will have experienced your fair share of pain. People will let you down, you’ll be disappointed, that opportunity you were depending on will fall through… many things will cause pain.

A few biblical characters had some interesting things to say about pain.

1. …she was greatly distressed and prayed to the Lord. . .-1 Samuel 1:10 – Hannah

2. ….. I had heard of Him, but now my eyes have seen Him . . .-Job 42:5 – Job

3. ….I would have despaired unless I believed . . .-Psalm 27:13 – King David

4. ….there is a balm in Gilead . . .-Jeremiah 8:22 – Prophet Jeremiah

5. …I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing. . .-Acts 7:55 – Stephen The Martyr

6. …. about midnight [they] were praying and singing hymns of praise …-Acts 16:25 – Paul & Silas

7. .  . .just go and sin no more . . .John 8:11 – Woman Caught In Adultery

8. …But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing….-Luke 23:34 – Jesus The Christ

After doing a little digging I ran across two interesting  verses in Psalm 119, 67 & 71.

67: Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word….

71: It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes…

We must get to the point where we can see the blessing in pain.

I believe that there truly is a blessing in pain. Pain, though uncomfortable causes us to check ourselves, our actions and our responses to life circumstances. Pain opens our eye’s and forces us to see what sometimes we would avoid. Yes pain is painful, but if heeded correctly pain can prevent us from experiencing more pain!

Pain can be the best teacher; and I believe God allows us to experience pain just so that we can remember our own humanity , lest we become too prideful and forget about how much we need him. Through pain God humbles us, comforts us, teaches us and restores us and therein lies the blessing.

I love him, because he first loved me, and he purchased my salvation, out of Calvary!

Knowing how to approach the throne of grace and receive love from the one who loves us unconditionally and one who has the power to rescue us. God hears our cry, God see’s our tears, and he understands our pain!

Almost Isn’t Good Enough

You cannot continually live in a state of “Almost”. Almost saved, Almost delivered, Almost healed, Almost set free, Almost got the job, Almost blessed, Almost saw the dream, Almost wrote the vision… Your state of “Almost” is almost over; and God is getting ready to complete that thing! Finally you’ve reached a place where you can see God’s hand moving and your state of “Almost” is almost done.. Wait on the Lord & be of good courage!

-Rodrigo Zaxembi Cruz

 

Guard Your Mind!

Arguably,the most challenging battle you will ever face begins in your mind. Your mind must be guarded and protected.

 It is with the mind that we seek the Lord and it is with the mind that we serve him.

 It is with the mind that we submit to his plan, purpose, and will for our lives.

 You may find that most of the battles you fight, both spiritual and physical deal with the mind.

The enemy, Satan seeks to destroy your mind. Your mind houses the seat of your actions, thoughts, decisions, emotions and if the mind can be destabilized he (the enemy) will gain a foothold on destabilizing your life.

It is with our mind that we sometimes place limits on ourselves and others.  

It is our mind that God constantly admonishes us to renew.

It is our mind, which must be constantly purged of negativity, bad mindsets and our own insecurities and doubts.

You must recognize that your situations, trials, tribulations and test’s don’t affect your outcomes; but your response to them does.

 

Speak The Truth!

 

I would rather tell the truth before men and be put to shame; than lie before men and be killed by God!

- Rodrigo Zaxembi Cruz

Traveling Companion

They walked on down a dirt track; veering through patches of overgrown trees, un-tended fields, sloping paths of grass, steep hills and quiet streams it seemed to her that the journey just wouldn’t end. She (Kate) turned to her traveling companion and asked; how much longer? Her traveling companion tried to remain good natured and spoke; Just try and relax, trust me I promised I would provide and take care of you. Yes I remember she replied, they continued walking as the sun began to set. We’ll have to find somewhere for camp and shelter tonight, even in the wilderness there are still hidden areas for shelter and safety her traveling companion said.

Her traveling companion unbeknownst to her was not an ordinary human, but a spirit of sorts sent to guide those who believed in the one who had sent him. For this part of her journey, her traveling companion had taken on the form of a man, because it was not safe for her to walk totally alone to her next destination. It was not uncommon for his boss to send him to comfort and guide people along their journeys. In fact his boss had promised his people that he would never leave or forsake them.  Through the passage of time; he had been sent to help lead and guide many people. They found a set of tress that seemed friendly  and a dry stretch of grass, that seemed hidden from the path. They both worked to gather twigs, sticks and kindling and arranged a fire for warmth and protection. They drew close to the flames but were careful not to inhale mouthfuls of smoke and ash. Soon they would remove the boiling pot of water from the middle of the fire and make more preparations for their dinner; soon it would be nightfall.

Her traveling companion stopped; and asked Kate to listen. Slowly he began to speak. “Let’s wait for God awhile, he has much to tell us and much to reveal to us. You and I have been walking a long time, but we are walking the path that God has chosen for us. Let us not worry about what other people may think or say, since we have begun to walk down this path. The work God is doing in us is hidden, just like this hidden path we have traveled today. Eventually we made our way into the clearing and found, grass, tress, fruits and blossoms from every flower as far as our eye’s could see. The path we travel with God is often filled with it’s own unique set of trials, tribulations, thorns, and difficult times; but we are promised that if we stay true to the path God has chosen for us, we will walk out of the wilderness into the valley and then onward to the mountain. Our finial destination may not always be visible, but it is waiting for us. It’s name is destiny and promise. In order for you to walk this path with me today, you had to trust me and God wants you to trust him and to not be afraid. You walk and live daily in the midst of battles, both spiritual and physical yet you are not consumed. Kate’s traveling companion looks off into the distance then speaks; I have to leave you and you must continue but my presence will be with you always  for I am God, I am the Holy Ghost, I am Jesus. We are one. You see my work in every flower, in every rainstorm. Like each ray of sunlight I will shine on you through your darkest storm and in your brightest day. Walk Forward!

A Special Thanks To My Dear Friend Demann Crawford, and a special thanks DC360 Photography “Bringing Visions To Life”! The Photography of DC360 has undoubtedly been an enhancement to the character and vision of this post. You can find Demann at the following sites:  , http://twitter.com/D360Photography, & http://www.modelmayhem.com/734380