Pain and praise don't have to be mutually exclusive.
"But how can
we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land?" Psalm 137:4 NLT
The moment I chomped down on the delicious bite of food in my mouth,
I knew I was in trouble. A sharp pain seized my jaw on the opposite side
of which I was chewing. Bouts with TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) aren't
fun, and I didn't have time for it now. Eating became painful rather
than pleasurable. When I had endured all I could stand, I called a local
chiropractor in hopes of receiving relief. After two treatments, I was
enjoying my meals again.
The psalmist-along with thousands of
other exiles, were in captivity in a foreign land. Far away from God's
temple in Jerusalem. Serving foreign rulers was painful. How could he
and the other exiles possibly praise God in such unpleasant
circumstances?
In spite of its unpleasantness, pain teaches me
valuable lessons in patience and dependence. Praising in the pain
reminds me Christ is my Great Physician. I depend on him for healing,
regardless of whether I visit a physician or not. Ultimately, he is my
healer and the One who gives me strength to endure my pain when it is
short and long-lived.
Praising in the pain forces me to look into
the future. For believers, a bright eternity is promised-one where pain
is absent. The culprit of bodies afflicted by sin is pain, but in heaven
bodies free of sin will be souls free of pain.
Praising when in
pain maintains my perspective. God never promised a pain-free life. When
I praise in spite of the pain, I'm reminded he's in control of the
intensity and duration of my pain. Responding to my aches in a godly
manner allows me to use my experiences to help others. My response to
pain shows others how God gives strength to face, endure, and overcome
unpleasant situations in life without adopting bitterness toward him.
Are you praising in your pain?
Prayer: Eternal God, remind us
that You are the master of our bodies and will give us the power to
praise You even in our pain.
Martin Wiles
Hodges, South Carolina, USA
Praising in Pain
Today's Bible Verse:
"But how can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a pagan land?"
Psalm 137:4
Praising in Pain
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