Pain has been around since the dawn of man. When Adam and Eve sinned, God cursed the labor of both of them. Adam’s physical labor to grow food would now be tedious and tiresome and painful. Eve’s labor in childbirth would now be painful. So a reminder of the first sin was given to the world: daily pain.
Every society that has ever existed has had a view on pain. Some saw it as a punishment from the gods, while others saw it as a guide for better living. Philosophers have called pain a tutor, a mentor, an illusion, all in your head and normal. There is no one who has lived who has not experienced pain. Every religious leader from Buddha to Muhammad and even Jesus experienced pain. Every religious writing speaks to pain.
When it comes to the medical systems, there are more pain relievers than any other remedy. Most drug abuse has the goal of ameliorating pain. Pain that is emotional, mental and physical can all be helped with various drugs in various amounts. As of today the number one cause of death for people under 50 years of age is overdosing on an opioid pain reliever, usually cut with elephant tranquilizers, a super-pain reliever.
The American government, under President Bill Clinton decided that no American should suffer with pain. President Clinton actually promised a pain free life for people in America. The CDC in respond to the president’s wishes created a pain scale. Now, when anyone goes to a doctor’s office, they are asked if they are in pain. The CDC rules are that if someone says they have a pain that is rated 8 or greater, they must be given pain reliever.
For the Christian, we know that all pain is temporary and only for this life. Jesus Christ was perfect, sinless, and God and yet he experienced the greatest pain and suffering of sin that anyone has ever felt. Pain in this life is like the suffering Christ experienced. The Apostles considered it a privilege to suffer like Christ and for Christ. So our hope and the promise of Scripture is that in the next life there will be no pain. Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Therefore when pain comes to every life, whether by our own incompetence, greed or inaction, or through no fault of your own, do not be a person who blames others. Do not be a person who quickly seeks a remedy with pills, potions or drink. Do not be a person who seeks to withdraw. Embrace pain, discover the depths of your pain and learn from the pain. A doctor once told me that when I experience pain, do something different. If standing, sit down. If being still, be active. If working, take a break. Go somewhere, eat something, do something, just change the situation that I was in and give the pain something else to do. That advise has served me well through the years. Another doctor told me to avoid pain relievers. Next time I got a migraine or muscle pain, he said, don't take any pills and see what happens. I could take pills next time, he said. And remember, “Life is pain… Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
Every society that has ever existed has had a view on pain. Some saw it as a punishment from the gods, while others saw it as a guide for better living. Philosophers have called pain a tutor, a mentor, an illusion, all in your head and normal. There is no one who has lived who has not experienced pain. Every religious leader from Buddha to Muhammad and even Jesus experienced pain. Every religious writing speaks to pain.
When it comes to the medical systems, there are more pain relievers than any other remedy. Most drug abuse has the goal of ameliorating pain. Pain that is emotional, mental and physical can all be helped with various drugs in various amounts. As of today the number one cause of death for people under 50 years of age is overdosing on an opioid pain reliever, usually cut with elephant tranquilizers, a super-pain reliever.
The American government, under President Bill Clinton decided that no American should suffer with pain. President Clinton actually promised a pain free life for people in America. The CDC in respond to the president’s wishes created a pain scale. Now, when anyone goes to a doctor’s office, they are asked if they are in pain. The CDC rules are that if someone says they have a pain that is rated 8 or greater, they must be given pain reliever.For the Christian, we know that all pain is temporary and only for this life. Jesus Christ was perfect, sinless, and God and yet he experienced the greatest pain and suffering of sin that anyone has ever felt. Pain in this life is like the suffering Christ experienced. The Apostles considered it a privilege to suffer like Christ and for Christ. So our hope and the promise of Scripture is that in the next life there will be no pain. Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Therefore when pain comes to every life, whether by our own incompetence, greed or inaction, or through no fault of your own, do not be a person who blames others. Do not be a person who quickly seeks a remedy with pills, potions or drink. Do not be a person who seeks to withdraw. Embrace pain, discover the depths of your pain and learn from the pain. A doctor once told me that when I experience pain, do something different. If standing, sit down. If being still, be active. If working, take a break. Go somewhere, eat something, do something, just change the situation that I was in and give the pain something else to do. That advise has served me well through the years. Another doctor told me to avoid pain relievers. Next time I got a migraine or muscle pain, he said, don't take any pills and see what happens. I could take pills next time, he said. And remember, “Life is pain… Anyone who says differently is selling something.”
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