– Joe Fornear
A key development in every child’s life is when they learn pain is not permanent. That scrape on the knee stings like crazy now, but it won’t last forever. You can walk it off or apply some ice. In the same way, followers of Christ can develop coping skills to endure the pain of this life, knowing well that pain is temporary.
Who among us has not wondered, “If God loves me so much, why is He allowing this overwhelming pain in my life?” In various forms, this is the most frequently asked question by cancer patients to us at Stronghold Ministry. It was my great question during my own Stage IV metastatic melanoma cancer battle.
Our annual Easter celebration of the Cross and the Resurrection reminds us of God’s answers to the pain question. In short, He made pain temporary. Here’s why:
- He knows how to use temporary pain for our permanent gain.
After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. – 1 Peter 5:10
Note, pain has beneficial outcomes of maturity and stability as it’s temporarily allowed by God in this life – “for a little while”. (More on handling pain in our five-part blog series, “Is Pain In Vain?”).
- On the cross, Jesus provided for the removal of painful diseases in this life.
When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.” – Matthew 8:16-17
In this passage in Matthew, many will recognize a key line out of Isaiah 53 about Him taking away our weaknesses and diseases. Not all would apply these verses to Divine Healing today. My question is why would we not ask God to apply it to our sicknesses today? We all apply the Isaiah 53 verses on forgiveness today! I certainly applied these healing verses after they gave me days to live in May of 2003! (More on healing in our seven-part series, “Miracles for Today Series.”)
- Jesus gave us our only ticket out from the eternal pains of hell.
All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. – Isaiah 53:6
He endured unspeakable pain and separation under the wrath of God, so that we would not have to endure the eternal pain and separation which we have earned. For more on our only ticket to heaven, check out our newly designed tract, “The Two Ways to Get to Heaven.” Thus, heaven will not entail suffering at all!
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. – Revelation 21:4
So let’s all rejoice this Easter weekend that pain has met its end! Thank You, Lord!
*Please note – until further notice our monthly 3rd Tuesday Stronghold Ministry Praise and Prayer Meetings will be on Facebook LIVE! See past episodes in February and March and April.
