Your Pain Matters Too

There’s something I’ve been thinking about the last few days and God keeps bringing it to mind. That usually means He wants me to share it with you! We’re living in a crazy world right now. Honestly, it’s a little hard to keep up with all the tragedies that are happening across the globe. It seems every time I turn on the news or open social media there’s one more thing to pray about.

I don’t know about you, but my prayer times are getting longer and I’m finding myself praying more often, which is a very good thing, and so needed. We should all be storming the gates of Heaven with our prayers for our fellow humans who are suffering greatly.

Romans 12:15 (NASB) encourages us to, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” There are a lot of people in the world who are weeping right now. Great suffering is happening across the globe and we should weep with those who are experience tragic circumstances.

We also shouldn’t discount our own pain. Throughout my journey with chronic illness I’ve endured a lot of painful things. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked to about something difficult happening in their own life and they say something along the lines of, “I know it’s nothing compared to what you’ve gone through, but….” I stop them immediately because pain is pain. Suffering is suffering. I don’t think there is a hierarchy of misery.

Because so many tragic things are happening in the world right now, I think it’s going to be easy for us to discount our own pain. I’ve already seen it on social media, which is why I feel so strongly the need to remind us that we don’t have a limited amount of compassion. If someone is suffering, that pain is very real to them and it matters.

If you’re suffering, your pain matters too.

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Don’t discount it, gloss over it, or stuff it deep down inside. Tell someone you’re hurting, ask them to pray for you too, and know that God sees you. He sees your pain and He’s already commanded the body of Christ to weep with you. You’re not a burden to Him or to your friends and family who love you. You are valued and loved.

We should weep with those who weep, and we should rejoice with those who rejoice. This one is hard too, isn’t it? When so many horrible things are happening across the world and in our own backyards, it feels like we don’t have the right to be happy or celebrate. But God calls us to rejoice with each other.

Did you get a promotion at work? Rejoice! Are you celebrating a birthday, engagement, or anniversary? Celebrate! Did you sign your very first book contract? Break out the happy dances and toss the confetti! We need those good times in our lives to keep us going, to give us a joyful boost to face the hard things.

Often those moments of rejoicing come in the midst of suffering. We can weep and rejoice at the same time. I’ve done it often. I won’t lie, at first it feels weird, but I think once we get the hang of it, it’s incredibly freeing.

Jesus came to earth to give us an abundant life and part of living an abundant life is experiencing all of the emotions God gave us. It’s being honest about our feelings, praying for each other, walking in obedience to God, and looking for all of the ways He’s working in the world – and in and through us.

He gives us joy for the journey, even when the journey is painful. Is there something you’re celebrating or weeping over? Leave me a comment and I would love to rejoice with you or pray for you. Do you have a prayer to share for those suffering in the world? Feel free to write it out in the comments so we can join you in that prayer.

Until next time,

Josie

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” -John 10:9-11