The Isolation of Pain

Training for Today: Cross-train for 30 minutes

Devotion: The Isolation of Pain

The place of suffering is a lonely one. In our grief, it’s hard to believe that anyone can really understand exactly what we’re going through. It’s hard to believe that anyone else has had a similar experience. It’s hard to believe that anyone wants to hear about our feelings, reactions, hopes, and fears. When a grieving person has these thoughts running through her mind, it’s easy to resort to interpersonal distancing and near silence; thus, the isolation of pain.

Though we may feel alone in our suffering from an earthly standpoint, look at what Scripture says in Hebrews 4:14-16:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

God certainly gave us family and friends to comfort us during times of trouble and to carry our burdens. But, sinful people produce imperfect results and may fall short of our needs and expectations sometimes. That’s why the message in Hebrews 4 is so important for us to remember. Christ has been to our point of suffering and beyond. Christ felt the loneliness and rejection of being separated from the Father for our sins. Christ conquered pain, suffering, and death so that we might have the hope of heaven! So, rather than resorting to interpersonal distance and silence, approach the throne of grace with confidence! You will meet the perfect listener, the only one who can truly empathize, and the one who will bestow on you the mercy and grace you need!

Prayer
Dear Jesus, forgive me for becoming frustrated with people around me who don’t always understand my experiences. Thank you for the pain, suffering, and death that you endured for me. In you I have someone who understands my pain perfectly. And, in you I have the promise of heaven! Amen.