Philip. 4:13 I Can Do Everything Through Him Who Gives Me Strength.

We are weak. We are heavy-laden. We are powerless on so many levels. Our pain makes us even weaker. We can do more and be more even in our pain…all through the power of God. We have no way seeing our impact upon the world. If we could see our life and our struggles, we would also see our victories in Christ our Savior. Mind you, we do have victories and many of them. The Lord keeps us blind to power so we will remain His humble servants. He knows the impact of our life. He knows the greatest moments of our life are those moments we spend in humble submission as we do His work and will. But what about that word "everything?" Certainly no one can do everything in the world. However, Christ has made it so we can do everything He needs us to do. Even in our pain, Christ makes a way for us to do everything He has deemed us to do.

1 Cor. 12:11 All These Are The Work Of One And The Same Spirit, And He Gives Them To Each One, Just As He Determines.

Pain makes things so unequal. When things are unequal we so often cry out "unfair" to others and even to God. No, a good, godly, righteous person does not deserve pain. So what is God doing or not doing here to put pain upon us? We must remember, God is not our source of pain. The advocate, Satan, the evil one delivers the terrible blows of pain upon us. But why doesn't God stop the pain? Certainly God has the power to stop the pain. Perhaps this will suffice as a partial answer. Imagine everything in our reality is a tiny piece of an infinite jig-saw puzzle. Every little piece has a certain place. In the perfect kingdom waiting for us, all the pieces fit together in perfect ways. In our present reality or our present kingdom where pain, suffering, and death occur, Satan has made pieces of the puzzle not fit together as the pieces should. At the same time, God is with us, trying to get us to move pieces of our puzzle around so when we see Him, the utmost perfection will be achieved. The utmost perfection will be achieved not just by God the Father, but by us working with God the Father in a time of communion with Him. Only God knows what we need as He determines. God will deliver to us the perfect way to make every piece of our life fit perfectly into His plans in a time of utmost perfection lasting forever.

1 Cor. 4:2 Now It Is Required That Those Who Have Been Given A Trust Must Prove Faithful.

Pain must never be an excuse to excuse ourselves from doing and being all Christ wants us to do and be. Our pain must never be used by us to relieve us from being faithful to all Christ wants us to do and be. When we are assaulted by our pain, we must stay the course and never give up. When we are assaulted by our pain, we must provide living proof we are worthy of Christ's trust in us. Of course, we know we falter because of our pain. We know we fall down because we hurt. However, even though we falter, we must continue to live in repentance for we must attempt to prove ourselves before God.

1 Cor. 12:7 Now To Each One The Manifestation Of The Spirit Is Given For The Common Good.

When you hurt you need a supply of extra. You need extra energy, extra optimism, extra vision, extra compassion for others, and an extra touch from God. If we did not have the touch of God through the Holy Spirit, our world would crumble into a heap of darkness. On an individual level, those of us who try to live within the power and love of God indeed possess His infinite extras. Even in your pain, you can do the right thing, say the right thing, and think the right thing. When you falter, you ask Christ for forgiveness and pray for His strength to do right in the future.

Matthew 25:14 "Again, It Will Be Like A Man Going On A Journey, Who Called His Servants And Entrusted His Property To Them. 15 To One He Gave Five Talents Of Money, To Another Two Talents, And To Another One Talent, Each According To His Ability. Then He Went On His Journey.

Does someone in pain, perhaps someone who lives in pain for years or decades, get off easy by God? Are those of us who live in pain held less responsible by God because we are in pain? Does God hold people in pain less responsible for their life and for the talents they hold than someone who is not in pain? Short answer: No. When we are in pain we have more of a load to carry than others not in pain. With increased pain comes increased expectations from God for us to live a more righteous and godly life. Our pain is not a talent as we think of talents. Our pain is not a blessing, at least on the surface. However, our pain can make us dig deeper for God's wisdom. Our pain can make us hone and sharpen our intellect. Our pain can make us more insightful and more humble before our Lord and Master. So what are we to do with this hidden "talent" others would call a detriment but we call pain? Like all talents, we are to invest all God has given us for His glory and grace.

Exodus 33:13 If You Are Pleased With Me, Teach Me Your Ways So I May Know You And Continue To Find Favor With You. Remember That This Nation Is Your People." 14 The Lord Replied, "My Presence Will Go With You, And I Will Give You Rest."

Nothing can wear us out like pain. Nothing can wear us down like pain. Truly, in pain we can be down and out. Only those of us who have suffered pain for an extended length of time can truly understand the soul-killing power of pain. So many times, in our pain we want to give up and give in. However, giving up and giving in is not the will of God for us. In the arms of Christ Jesus, our soul will never die no matter our pain. In Christ, we have a personal eternal power within us to keep us going until we see Him face to face. When we deal with pain, we must remember we are to reach above the horizon of this time and place so we connect to the power of God who is over us, under us, and all around us. We must not be content to sit in our present dark reality when the reality of Christ's eternal light and love is within our grasp. Instead, we must remind ourselves we possess an unlimited power beyond the invincible.

Matthew 9:29 Then He Touched Their Eyes And Said, "According To Your Faith Will It Be Done To You";

In pain, your faith is weakened. In pain, your faith can be made as nothing. But why? Answer: In pain your faith is diminished because Satan wants your faith diminished. Satan causes the pain. Satan causes the pain knowing the outcome of the pain is a diminished ability to believe, hope, and trust in the power of God. Of course you must put forth the effort toward believing, hoping, and trusting. However, the pain still weakens you no matter what motions we show. You must remember, even when you are weakened by your pain, even when you force yourself to go through the motions, God is still with you in His love and grace. God loves you for trying, even when your faith is weak. Christ knows you need Him. Christ knows you need Him in ways even you do not know. Christ knows all your needs. When you have the faith to battle through your pain, Christ Jesus will bless you and keep you forever. Even when you fall short because of your pain, Christ cares more about what you try to do for Him than about what you think you are accomplishing for Him.