“God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:10-11
As time marches on in my paralysis, I’m struggling with more pain (knifing pain in my neck and shoulders) than I used to have. Paulette, my physical therapist, helps me with pain management. She twists, turns, and stretches my arms and shoulders, pushing and kneading my muscles. She works on my shoulder area with a small rubber-tipped instrument I call “the torture tool,” pressing it between my muscles. And it hurts. When she first started using the torture tool, I hated it. It felt as though my muscles were being ripped away from their tendons. After many sessions, however, I have learned that it was that very tool which made the biggest difference in my pain. It hurts a lot — but it hurts real good.
God has a tool, and holding it in his own hand, he digs and presses into our lives. The tool is called “suffering,” and we hate it! It hurts. And yet the apostle Peter tells us, “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good” (1 Peter 4:19). We really can commit ourselves to Him, and have utter trust and confidence in His expertise with that tool in His hands. He knows what He is doing, He knows what we need, and He knows the “harvest of righteousness and peace” it will produce in our lives. It hurts — but it hurts good.
Are you enduring emotional or physical suffering in these days? Don’t yield and bend to the situation, but rather submit to your Father who loves you, and who will use these circumstances for a future harvest in your life you can’t begin to foresee.
Thank You, Jesus, that You went before me in my suffering, and understand so well what I’m going through. Be my comfort, my courage, and my strength this day.
