Okay, this is going to sound weird to some of you, but my Thankful Thursday poem today is titled “Pain and Suffering.” I’ve been trying to think of what to write all week and couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t trite. I thought of the new paver driveway and patio I just had installed, but didn’t think that would make much of a poem. I thought of the housekeeper I wish I had, that I would be thankful for if only I had one, but that didn’t seem right either.
Then last night I was driving to the doctor to discuss refilling my pain medication. I thought of James 1, which our youth minister preached on last Sunday. James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 (NIV). Although I would love to live a life in which I experienced no pain or suffering, that is not my lot. (I’ve never actually met anyone who did live a life with absolutely no pain or suffering.)
But I have come to a place where I can find the good in it all – the “silver lining” if you will – in that it has taught me perseverance and compassion. For that I am thankful. I am also thankful for God’s promise that my perseverance will finish its work so that I will be mature and complete.
Pain and Suffering
I will pray
because I care
as the pain drags
you down
exhausting
endless
pain
I understand
how you feel
I’m exhausted
just like you
I have no power
to eliminate
the pain
Yours or mine
Will you let
compassion blossom
from the compost
of your pain?
Or will bitterness
engulf your soul
as pain ravages
your body?
Because I care
I will pray
that we persevere
that the pain
will be eased
I will remind you
this, too, shall pass
someday
It might not be
until Jesus returns
or calls us
home
But we’ll make it
We’ll persevere
and become mature
and complete
I will pray
because I care
Will you pray
for me, too?
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
James 1:12-18 (NIV).