Pain is a Gift

A Message from Anointed Messenger

I saw a program that focused on people with a rare insensitivity to pain. On the surface, that doesn't seem like a bad deal. Never feeling physical pain? That means no toothaches, no backaches, and no shooting pain from stubbing a toe or banging an elbow. Imagine never feeling a paper cut, or a burn, or a punch. It sounded pretty sweet until I watched the whole program.

On the program was a baby, not even a toddler yet, whom experienced problems that his parents couldn't figure out. It came to a head when his father was feeding him and suddenly there was blood everywhere. The baby had bitten off a huge chunk of his tongue and didn't even realize it. The baby kept right on chewing. The horrified father rushed his son to the hospital where he was diagnosed with congenital insensitivity to pain.

Congenital insensitivity to pain and congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) are part of a family of disorders called HSAN, which stands for hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy. People with an HSAN disorder have trouble perceiving pain and temperature. Anyone who has ever bitten their tongue knows how extremely painful that can be. But pain is useful information. Pain lets us know something is wrong. Pain lets us know what we're doing isn't good for us. Pain keeps us from repeating mistakes (like biting your tongue).

People who can't recognize pain hurt themselves too often, and don't realize when they need help/treatment. People who can't sense temperature burn themselves without realizing it.

Thinking about all this made me realize that sometimes we beg God to remove our pain when it is actually useful information. A lack of peace can alert us that something is amiss; and we may need to make adjustments in order to find God's perfect will. Frequent emotional pain can alert us that we may need to change our attitude or our circumstances or both. Many situations and people can appeal to our flesh; but the pain of a hangover, or betrayal, or punishment (hopefully) teach us to stay away. Heartache can teach us what kinds of relationships are not good for us. Pain can let us know we need to change our diet, lifestyle, and our habits.

I think about Jonah and how he ran from God's will. God told him to go to Ninevah and Jonah went in the opposite direction. God sent a storm, and then a whale to alert Jonah there was a problem. God loved Jonah enough to make things uncomfortable for him. Jonah sat stubbornly in the belly of the whale for three days before he was ready to submit to God's will. We have free will, but pain and discomfort let us know something is wrong.

There have been times when I clearly felt the Holy Spirit's pain. It stopped me in my tracks; and motivated me to change whatever was grieving the Holy Spirit [Ephes 4:30]. And sometimes it brought comfort. During times when I was hurting because of something I had no control over; God let me know that He was hurting with me. God's Pain was a comfort during those times.

Pain also helps us appreciate pleasure. It's after the pain of sickness that one truly appreciates good health. It's after the pain of loneliness that one learns to value relationships. It's following the pain of poverty that one learns to truly appreciate every blessing.

Pain can also signal that we are about to give birth to something new and very important; just as a mother experiences pain during childbirth. [John 16:21]

God's Beloved before you ask God to remove all pain and discomfort from your life; ask Him why it is there, and what He would have you do about it.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 NIV

¹⁷ I am on the verge of collapse,
facing constant pain.
¹⁸ But I confess my sins;
I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

Psalm 38:17-18 New Living Translation

Heavenly Father,
I thank You for the gift of pain that alerts me there is an issue that needs to be addressed. I am grateful that You love me too much to leave me in my mess. Whenever I feel pain I will seek Your divine counsel. I trust You will let me know what changes need to be made in my life. I thank You that You never give me more than I can bear. I know You give me the grace to endure all situations You call me to. When I am overwhelmed it is a sign that change is necessary/coming. Make me sensitive to Your voice and Your will. I don't want to be stubborn like Jonah and endure pain longer than necessary. You are my Deliverer and I trust You to deliver me from all pain. I know You don't want me to hurt, and that my hurt hurts You more.