pain is temporary
Sep 19 – Pain is Temporary, Memories Last Forever
3:263 – Pain is Temporary, Memories Last Forever

#faithbites #faithjourney temporary

Today, we were enjoying the fall weather at Rader Farms. My youngest was playing in the sand pit by herself and was a bit lonely. I got down on my knees and started playing with her. After we were done, I got up slowly and painfully. (It’s been a bad weekend for back pain). My wife, said you probably shouldn’t have done that. I said “Pain is temporary, memories last forever”. My daughter will remember me playing with her. If I didn’t she would remember that I didn’t not the reason why. This doesn’t mean I hide pain, but I make sacrifices to make memories last forever.

Our faith life is no different. Jesus tells us that we will suffer and toil on earth, then we will be rewarded later. Our emotional and spiritual pain is temporary, our salvation lasts forever.

Scripture
  • Romans 8:18 – For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
  • 1 Peter 5:6-7 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
  • 1 Peter 4:12-13 – Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
Reflection

Following Jesus is not easy. He tells us over and over that we will have fiery trials, we will be persecuted, and will have tribulations. He also says that when the time is right, he will exalt us, take away our anxieties, and will be richly rewarded.

What we need to remember is that this pain we are suffering be it mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional only resides on this side of heaven. When we get to the other side, it will be gone. We can’t give up following Jesus because it’s hard. We need to keep following his teachings: love God and love people. The closer we get to doing that, the more the devil will attack us. Satan wants to win and those closest to Christ as the ones he wants to hurt.

So, rest not in your human understanding of pain. Listen to Christ’s word. Know that he will take away all of this pain and suffering. Your reward in Christ will be perfect and everlasting.

My back hurts and some times I want to cry. I know that my daughters mean everything to me and I will do what I can to make sure they have good memories of love, compassion, and a father willing to do anything for them. Just as God did for us.

Challenge

Are you suffering? Do you feel that you can’t go on? Trust in the Lord. Reach out to him and to your closest friends. Know that this is temporary. He will lift you up and give you everlasting peace.

Prayer

Father God, I thank you for giving us everlasting life through Jesus. You tell us that our reward for believing and serving in your will last for all eternity. Help us through all of these temporary setbacks. Be it pain, loss, or challenge, we ask for you to guide us and deliver us. Remind us that all of this is temporary. You have made us unique and in your image. You have given us your strength and Grace. We ask that you make it abundantly clear and help us serve you forever no matter how much we are hurt, stressed, or confused. Give us your direction always. In your name, Amen.

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