Embrace Your Pain!

What does it mean to embrace your pain? Most people are coming out of a painful situation, amid an unpleasant situation or going into a distressing situation.

There are very few people that enjoy pain, but suffering is part of the human experience. Jesus promised us we would have trouble. So, the question is not if we will hurt but rather how we will process the hurt when it comes.

Years ago, as a result of personal experience, I coined the phrase, “Embrace your pain.” What I meant is don’t run from the pain. For many, the desire to flee pain rather than face the pain is overwhelming. But pain doesn’t flee. It becomes part of us until we process it. Then it leaves a scar, reminding us of God’s goodness.

I once sat in a dentist’s chair, numbed up, listening to the dentist tell me I needed a root canal. He was talking to me like he expected to have a conversation. My mouth was full of paraphernalia, so I signaled for a pen and pad. I wrote four words: “I DON’T LIKE PAIN!”

The dentist nodded, trying to appear empathetic, but none of that had an impact on reality. The truth was I was already in pain, and by embracing a painful process, I would be free of the pain. Although the experience is not enjoyable, the result is better.

Sylvia Clemons, LPC, recently introduced me to a book by Robert Kellemen, Ph.D., entitled “God’s Healing for Life’s Losses.” The subtitle is “How to Find Hope When You’re Hurting.” Dr. Kellemen faces the subject of pain and presents a path to healing from a clear Scriptural directive. I highly recommend the book.

When you are in physical pain, you find someone to address the physical pain. The process should not be different from emotional pain. In addition to opening up to God, find someone qualified that can give guidance. We need God. We need the body as well.

Let me know how I can be of service. I provide clinical pastoral counseling via videoconferencing. I also travel providing teaching/preaching on timely relational subjects.