my story (5)

the gift of pain

Pain is a gift from God. But it is a gift nobody wants. Who likes pain? Who asks God for pain? No one. But pain is so essential to life. Pain is an indicator that lets us know something is wrong.

Dr Paul Brand, a world-renowned leprosy specialist, said, "Pain has a value that becomes clearest in its absence." Take a look at lepers. Lepers do not have the sensation of pain. They don't feel any pain even if they touch a hot stove or boiling water. As a result, they gradually lose their limbs & wither away.

Someone once asked me, "Is cancer painful?" Cancer is painless in the sense that I never felt any pain when the tumour was quietly & happily growing behind my nose without my knowing. I did not even experience any external symptom such as nose bleed or sinus.

Radiation is also painless; it's like taking x-rays but with a stronger dose. The radiation rays are so powerful they destroy not only the bad cancer cells but also all the surrounding good organs & tissues. As a result, radiation causes many side-effects & after-effects. The side-effects of radiation are immediate & excruciatingly painful.

What were some of the pains I had experienced as a cancer sufferer? See the next instalment ....... akan datang.

Lesson : God can use pain & suffering for our good & for His glory.
The Lord Jesus understands our suffering as He has suffered more than anyone of us. As our Great High Priest, Jesus is able to sympathise with those who are suffering (Hebrews 4:15). Our loving God allows pain & suffering to come into our lives for our good & for His glory (Romans 8:28-30). And God will not allow us to suffer more than we can bear (1 Cor 10:13).

Application : What pain are you going through right now? How will you trust God to use your pain & suffering for His glory?

thanks for joining me in this memorable journey into the past,
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