“Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

Pain means something is wrong.

Let’s just get that out there in the open from the beginning. If something hurts, then something is wrong. It’s that simple. God didn’t design us to hurt.

So, when my tooth starting hurting, and my entire jaw and part of my neck started swelling and feeling the pain…

…it was a good indication that something was wrong.

That something was an abscess tooth. We’re talking infection city here. Ouch and double-ouch. Something along the same lines as bamboo shoots under the fingernails.

In other words, PAIN.

And pain means something is wrong.

So, I did what any self-respecting macho man would do. I went to the dentist begging for help!

And the good ‘ol Doc didn’t let me down. He prescribed me some antibiotics and painkillers and made arrangements to take care of that tooth once and for all.

And for the first time in about a week, something is being done about my pain. And I’m going to get some rest and relief tonight.

You know, it isn’t just our physical bodies that let us know something is wrong by signaling us through pain.

God has designed our spiritual bodies to know when something is wrong.

Think about all of the pain that is felt throughout our lives…

What about discouragement? How often do we hurt because things don’t turn out like we want them to, or someone disappointed us in what they said or did? Don’t we feel the pain of discouragement when we don’t see the results we anticipated? Something’s wrong when we get discouraged and worried and fearful — God didn’t design us to live in defeat!

What about bitterness and resentment? Do we hurt inside because we are angry at someone? Ill will eats at us inside when we harbor unforgiveness towards others because they have done (or didn’t do) something that offends us. Something’s wrong when we feel or show hostility to other people — God didn’t design us to hate, but rather to love!

What about envy and jealousy? You know — seeing something that someone else has, and wanting it so badly that it begins to dominate your thinking. Or, seeing someone else succeed and becoming obsessed with getting it for yourself. And what about just not being happy for other people when they are blessed? Something’s wrong when we become dissatisfied with what God gives us — God didn’t design us to always be wanting more stuff, but rather to always be wanting more of Him!

What about sadness and burdens and fears and all that stuff that builds up inside of us and drags us down? Know what I mean? Those little things (that seem so big) of daily living that just seem to hurt our feelings or weigh us down or cause us to doubt. Something’s wrong when we walk around with heavy hearts expecting bad things to fall from the sky upon us – God didn’t design us to walk in doubt, but rather to walk in faith!

When we feel pain, Christian, something is wrong.

Are you hurting today? Are you discouraged, depressed, disappointed, angry, resentful, jealous, envious, sad, burdened, fearful? Is there anything wearing you down today?

Do what any self-respecting believer in Jesus Christ should do. Go see the Great Dentist for some help.

I promise you, the Savior won’t let you down. He may not take away the situation that is giving you fits, but He will take away the pain if you ask Him to.

God doesn’t always calm the storm that rages around His children…

…but He will calm His children.

Cast your burdens upon the Lord today. And let Him do something about your pain.

And get some rest and relief tonight.

Jimmy D. Brown http://www.living4jesus.com/02archives.html