Pain is Relative

Many of you can sympathize with my predicament.

I mentioned in an earlier post about my "bum" shoulder. I can just slightly move my torso to balance myself (seems I have to do that a lot!) and the mind numbing pain shoots through my shoulder and down my arm.

Sleep runs away from me. The pain scares it off.

I thought the previous couple of night's sleeplessness was due to not being in my cozy bed and not having my wonderful pillows. Last night I had the pleasure of both, but sleep still evaded me.

After the maximum dose of naproxen sodium, sleep still could not be found. I have bags under my eyes today. The nagging pain has settled into permanent residence in my right shoulder. Upon some contemplation though, I would rather have this pain than other pains I have had. I would like to sleep, but the pain can be bearable.

And my silly pain allows some humorous moments to crawl into my life.
Like ~returning a side hug from a friend's husband ~ just to have my shoulder freeze and constrict in pain~ about the time I am going to pat his back~ only to pat toooooo low~

oh.
my.
word!

Can you say mortified!?
[I have friends that I grew up with that would particularly find that story a little too humorous..... something to do with a purse...?? (lol)]

Pain is relative.
What I mean is, until you know intense pain, the worst pain you have had until that moment is great. But once the new intense pain arrives, you understand the insignificance of your previously minor pain.

Pain is relative.
I may think I am in a lot of pain, but I know there is much worse out there. So, I just face my sleepless night thanking God I don't have that kind of pain.

We encounter pain in the physical.

We experience emotional pain. Spiritual pain can be eternal.

Again, upon reflection, I would rather have physical pain over emotional pain any day, any time. Physical pain affects me alone. Emotional pain would, more than likely, happen due to strained relationships.

Pain is relative.
Spiritual pain, which is separation from God, is intolerable and for me, not an option. Spiritual pain, if not dealt with before our appointed date with destiny, makes all other pain pale in comparison.
Spiritual pain ~ deep anguish~ during which Jesus on the cross cried, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" is the kind of pain that, without divine intervention, can last forever~ throughout eternity.

Pain is relative.
The spiritual pain of Jesus upon the cross was so agonizing because He knew the reality of closeness with the Father. In the instant God the Father had to turn His back on His only Son because of the sins of the world, Jesus knew, for the first time, a state of being void of His Father's holiness and righteousness. Jesus experienced the worse kind of spiritual pain.

Pain is relative.
So many are lost in their sin, but have no idea the spiritual distress they are in because that is all they have ever known. Let a Christ filled believer cross their path and begin to pray for their darkness to be revealed and swoosh! A glimpse into the depth of their spiritual pain cracks into their being.
Pain.
Lost.
Empty.
Distress.
Dark.
Blind.
Void.

The weight of sin can suddenly be felt. Oh, they may respond in evil and vile cursing, or they may respond is complete humility before God, but for once, they slowly begin to understand the depravity of their soul.

Pain is relative.
Why I am being so seemingly gloom and doom?
Because pain is relative.

One doesn't have to live in the darkness!

The light of the gospel of Christ can flood the soul with joyous, glorious and wondrous love! In that moment that His love is accepted and His blood applied, pain is relative because~

There is a Blessed Hope of having eternity with the Savior!

So, today I leave you with the prayer of Paul from the Amplified version:
"May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man
by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts!
May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.
That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints
[God's devoted people, the experience of that love]
what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves]
the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge
[without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being]
unto all the fullness of God
[may have the richest measure of the divine Presence,
and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Ephesians 3:16-19

Blessings to each of you and may you have a spiritual pain free day! :)

dorinda