Each of us effectively conceals, ignores, compartmentalizes or works through the pain of the lives into which we’ve been placed.  How would we view it differently if that pain, that specific revelation were the secret to our mortal efficacy?  Would we then embrace the challenges as direct conduits to and beyond victory?  Would we choose to remain in the lion’s den, the crucible or upon the field of battle, knowing it the path to overcoming this life?  Accepting this as truth is an epiphany for the man or woman looking for reason to trust God.  For if the pain is instrumental in our Kingdom accomplishment then all of it was designed for Divine purpose.

My instinct screams, run!  It is with every ounce of my faith that I stand against the insurmountable.  I cannot fight what I can neither see nor understand.  These enemies aligned against me are more than my equal, my only hope found in His covering confidence.  They tell me to feel sorry for myself and develop a cogent pity-gram to share at meetings, parties and convince all listeners of the unfair shuffle leading to a truly intolerable hand.  They must at all cost send me scurrying for empathy, instead of embracing my circumstances as Divine opportunity to demonstrate God’s Glory.  These things are my devices, my leverage, my challenges and opportunities uniquely developed to reveal His Face within me.  Why then would I seek pity for such grand gift?

Perspective can create or ruin heroes.  Each of us prefers victory, but can we never truly achieve it without enemy identification.  My enemies are not mortal, they are armed with despair, hate, illusion and untruth.  Without these enemies I am left with love, clarity and abundance.  These things considered I must now accept, enjoy and look forward to my person dilemma.  Its struggles, unique to my past, my talents and my specifically, peculiar, Kingdom purpose are the answer to my fulfillment.  That I was never loved or received no familial encouragement, was poor, naked, tired and alone clarifies my need for relationship with God.  My pain is a breadcrumb trail that ends at the foot of the cross.

It is all a wonderful experience, especially that pain which first led me to God.  None of us likes suffering, persecution and correction, but what if they are the best friends a man could ever possess?  Do not cry over your lives my friends.  Instead, measure your life’s difficulty as an exponential opportunity to truly do something wonderful through Christ.  Your hard childhood becomes journey full of stimuli to reach higher, changing your envy for the man with an easy life into pity for his loss.  Now the job is to humble yourself and pray, repenting of your self-pity and rejoicing in God’s Plan for your life well lived.

Thank you Lord Jesus for the gift of your perfect life to set us free for eternity.