"Pain."
That was Clubber's response in the Rocky III movie when asked, "What's your prediction?"
"Pain."
It's a great moment of self-indulgent over-confidence by Rocky's nemesis.
And it's probably something the Evil One says in his prediction of what he desires in our life. And since we live in a fallen world, we're pretty much guaranteed some pain in life.
So the question isn't IF we'll have pain, the question is HOW will we respond to it?

Pain comes in so many forms. There is physical, emotional, psychological. You've probably experienced your share. I've experienced mine as well. Recently, I was dealt a heavy blow. Maybe you've been knocked to your knees too. Maybe you're grabbing onto the ropes, like Rocky, trying to catch your breath, trying to pull yourself back up. Maybe you're asking God, "Why?" Maybe you're still in shock and flat out on the floor. Maybe you feel like Goliath just won. Maybe you feel as if you've been cast in the lion's den and no angel has come to shut the lion's mouth. Or maybe you've been tossed into a fiery furnace. Maybe you've been dealt a real knock-out. Whatever the source of your pain, your heart is aching.

I know that pain. You do too. But here's what I also know, even as I feel the repercussions of a blow resonating through my entire heart....

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.
For in just a very little while,
"He who is coming will come and will not delay.
But my righteous one will live by faith.
And if he shrinks back,
I will not be pleased with him."
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Hebrews 10:35-39

To me, God is saying, 'Hang in there! Persevere! Don't give up! Jesus is coming! Don't shrink back. Don't back down. We are His children! We are righteous because of the blood of Christ. Believe."

What is He saying to you?

Labels: depression, emotional distress, Pain, suffering