Lots of rain blowing through the city right now. I’m in the “I love it” camp, although I’d be lying if I said that was the case today. Whenever the weather changes drastically within a couple of days, my body starts to badly ache and a migraine pops up. In case that sounds strange, that is normal for me.

Pain is a funny thing. Everyone processes it differently: some struggle physically (like myself), while others are tested emotionally. Most find it uncomfortable, and then you have those who… enjoy it. I’ve never understood why some people may find it enjoyable, and frankly, I would prefer to leave that question be.

People ask why God allows all of this pain and suffering around the world in the first place. Very simple: we did this to ourselves. Adam and Eve were tempted, and mankind fell. Suffering is in the world because of our own actions. It has never been God’s fault for why we have issues, and it definitely isn’t going to start being his fault.

With all that being said, there is one aspect of pain that I feel needs to be talked about more. Some already have, and they’ve done it better justice than I ever will, but it bears repeating nonetheless.

Pain is one of the best teachers we could ever ask for.

Pain teaches us where our limits are, as well as how to protect ourselves. It hardens our skin and strengthens our bonds. And above all, it causes us to rely on God even more than we already do. You can take painkillers or antidepressants, or go to get a massage all you want, but if you want true peace and rescuing from this world, you need to always seek after God and the Word.

Romans 5:3-5 is a section I have saved on my phone for a moment’s notice, and I recommend all to have it on hand for when the going gets tough.

“³ Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

That’s all I have to say about pain. Now, time to have a hot bath.