Pain

     There is probably no greater pain that we can suffer than the pain of losing a loved one in death.  With just a brief and non-exhaustive examination of pain we can gain a little insight with this fact.

     We will only consider a simple breakdown of pain that happens to us and pain that affects us due to the loss of something.  Consider for a moment the physical pain that we might have to endure.  We could hit our thumb with a hammer.  Or we could stub our toe on a piece of furniture.  These two examples of pain may be very uncomfortable for the moment, but with the passage of time we will recoup and the suffering from the pain will be forgotten.

     We could also have pain from some type of accident which may require us to undergo surgery or we may have some type of illness which also may cause us to have to have surgery.  In either case this type of pain will also pass in time.  We may have some type of scar that would constantly be a reminder of what we had to go through although this may also become part of our distant past and we may not give much additional thought to the pain we had gone through.  This situation may also be one where we will undergo some form of mental pain along with the other suffering.  This may require more time to pass by, if ever, we are to lose this suffering.

     These types of physical pain and many other forms can be things that we have to face throughout our entire life.  You’ve probably also noticed that some individuals are able to stand greater pain levels than others.  And you may find that with time, patience, and certain degrees of practice a person can condition themselves to increase the pain tolerance which they are able to bear.

     In the other direction we can consider the pain of losing something.  You’ve probably at one time or another lost your wallet or purse, or maybe you thought you did.  Such a loss can create great pain and suffering.  A lady that I used to work with lost her purse (well, actually it was stolen).  The pain and agony she went through for months getting her credit cards replaced, a new driver’s license and other things was almost unbelievable.

     Perhaps you’ve lost a job, or a promotion, or the car or house keys.  You know the pain you suffered and how you feel every time you thought about it.  And I can’t even begin to describe the situation of pain when we lose a pet.  A cat or dog or other pet that has become part of the family would leave a devastating empty spot in your heart if they were to be lost.

     However, the pain of the death of a loved one can only be described as pain that hits hard, goes deep, and can last for many years to come.  Perhaps never really subsiding at all.  But here is where we can have faith in God who says “death will be swallowed up forever” (Isa 25:8).  And by providing the ransom sacrifice of Jesus, who “might taste death for everyone” (Heb 2:15), we can look forward to a future where “death will be no more” (Re 21:4). 

QUOTE TO CONSIDER

THOUGHTFUL GEM

"Death, where is your victory?

Death, where is your sting?"

1 Co 15:55