Pain Free or Well?

In a conversation yesterday, a mate of mine asked a question I found quite profound.  He said his physiotherapist constantly asks the question:  "Do you want to be pain free, or do you want to be well?"  The answer to this question will greatly impact treatment.  I believe this simple question holds profound spiritual implications.

The point made by the physiotherapist is a critical one for him and each seeking treatment to understand.  This man has broken people coming to him who face various degrees of physical pain.  His expertise and skills to improve the condition of those who seek his service are directly impacted by their willingness and desires.  I suspect most people just want the pain to go away.  They do not care to have their lives terribly impacted by any course of treatment, despite long term benefits.  Most people are not keen to make permanent, major adjustments to their activity level, lifestyle, or habits.  They don't want to be burdened with diet restrictions or commit to series of daily stretches and exercise regimen.  If there was such a thing as a magic tablet to cure all ills, that's all people want!  All the physio can do in this case is provide temporary relief of pain, perhaps some manual adjustments to bring people "out of the woods," and at some point lose clients because he isn't accomplishing lasting results.  It's a tough job to be sure - dealing with people who want to be pain free but don't care to be well.  If people aren't interested in being well, he likely wouldn't bother burdening such with exercises and treatments.

Those who want to be well are willing to embrace massive changes in their diet and exercise routine because they want to attack the root cause of their pain.  They will be faithful to do their daily stretches and alter their lifestyle because they trust the physio and his methods of treatment.  Becoming well is not an immediate transformation, but a process.  It's important to understand our bodies do not just "heal" themselves.  God designed our bodies to work constantly towards health.  Oxygen is carried by red blood cells, white cells are mobilised to fight infection, recording each strain of virus and bacteria for future defense.  Pain is a signal that tells the body it is not well and needs treatment and special care.  Instead of masking pain with drugs or seeking an easy fix, those who will be well need to work toward that end under the guidance of one who can make an accurate diagnosis, and apply effective treatments.  Our bodies work hard on the inside, and to be well we must pitch in with health-promoting lifestyle changes.

Largely speaking, pain has a bad rap.  Sometimes damaged nerves can cause chronic, debilitating pain.  This is not what I am referring to.  God designed our bodies to feel pain as a warning sign of damage.  A lack of pain is potentially damaging and even deadly to the body.  One incurable disease that leads to disfigurement and death is leprosy.  When nerves to extremities become damaged, the lack of sensation leads to pressure wounds, burns, and serious infections.  Some who suffer from leprosy end up being blind, having lost sensation to their eyes.  Pain is an effective defense mechanism.  Leprosy illustrates how a lack of pain ultimately leads to self-destruction.  A book that goes into great detail on this point is Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey.

If we apply this question to our spiritual walks, perhaps it will open our eyes to the fact we have only wanted to be pain free and don't actually care to be well.  God wants us to be well.  Have you finally arrived to the place where you want to be well at any cost?  It is a beautiful place to be when we are in pain and realise we don't just want our pain to be relieved, but we want to be well and submit our entire lives into the hands of Great Physician - not so He can wave His hands over the spot and speak instant healing, but so He will tell us a course of treatment according to His Word we will embrace.  Don't you want to be well?  You hesitate because of the cost, the ongoing commitment, or perhaps you think you know yourself well enough!  Jesus walked up to the lame man at the pool of Bethesda and asked the question:  "Do you want to be made well?"  He did not answer the question.  Jesus is asking you the same question today.  How do you answer?

Fishing For Significance (in space without fish)

We live in a day when self sits on the throne.  During my life I have seen the self-esteem movement develop, and digital technology and social media has made way for "selfies."  A major aspect of social online activity has become self-promotion.  The thirst for significance grows unabated, despite the self-serving platforms.  There are countless ways humans search for significance:  their interests, careers, and political, social, or religious inclinations.  There is a desire in every person to be seen, appreciated, recognised, even liked.  We put so much stock in seeking people's positive comments and opinions it becomes like an addictive drug that makes us feel better about ourselves.  On the other hand, negative feedback and bullying has led to suicide attempts and even death.

I read a post the other day which suggested if you were a "real" friend you would read to the bottom of the post, pass it on, write one word that describes that person, etc.  To me it was a cry, clear evidence a thirst for significance still unmet.  Having hundreds of virtual "friends" was not enough, so a post was employed to guilt others into responding.  Social interaction for some has gone far beyond an activity, but has become a quest for personal satisfaction and acceptance.  Frankly, virtual relationships can never supply the deep emotional and spiritual needs of a person any more than it can feed your body when you are hungry.  Seeking significance even in physical relationships is useless.  Looking for lasting happiness through any activity or positive feedback in this world will leave you empty.  It is like a man fishing for significance in the void of space where no fish are.

Thankfully, there is a way to have this thirst quenched.  It can be satisfied only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  God is the one who created us, who knew us before we were knit together in the wombs of our mothers.  Jesus is the one who demonstrated God's love for us, for whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us!  Everything we need is found in Jesus!  1 Corinthians 1:30-31 says of the relationship of a Christian to Christ, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- ³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."

God doesn't just "like" you - He loves you.  Instead of seeking to satisfy self, glorifying God is what truly satisfies and brings rest to our souls.  Apart from Christ those deep longings of the human soul for significance will remain unmet.  As the Preacher in Ecclesiastes said of life on earth without God, "Meaningless!  Vanity!  All is meaningless!"  We don't need to fish for significance or "likes" when believers already have acceptance and approval of God, the One who gave His own Son so we might live with Him forever.  God loves with an everlasting love, and those who repent and trust in Him walk in that light.  Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever."  God's love never fails, and He will never leave or forsake you.  Pretty significant, I say!

Bring Them To Jesus

"Then Jesus answered and said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." 

Matthew 17:17

The LORD has provided fresh insight upon this passage for me recently.  Jesus had returned from a mountain with a few of His disciples when a man approached Him with a request.  His son was severely demon possessed, and related how he first brought him to be healed by the disciples of Jesus.  When they were unable to help, he came to Christ for help.  After He heard the man's pleas, Jesus spoke the aforementioned words culminated with, "Bring him here to Me."  Jesus rebuked the demon, and the boy was made whole.  The disciples later asked Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon, seeing that Jesus had already given them authority and power over unclean spirits.  It was their unbelief, Jesus replied.

In relation to Christian ministry, this passage speaks volumes to those who have ears to hear.  We know that Jesus alone supplies the power through the Holy Spirit for fruitful and effective ministry.  It is not expressly stated why the man did not initially bring his son to Jesus, and frankly it does not matter for my purpose.  The point is, the man sought help from the disciples of Christ because he hoped they could supply his need.  This happens more in ministry and the church of God than you might think.  People tend to look for people, programs, ministries, and things to supply help and hope.  We may think listening to a sermon will do us good, or read our Bibles through twice in a year will help us overcome issues!  But we can neglect simply coming to Christ!  Search as we might for useful or effective aids apart from Christ, they will not supply our true need.  They will be proved useless, even as the disciples were not effective to do what only God could.

The second thing about this passage is the neglect and failure of the disciples to bring the man to Jesus.  They had prayed, even laid hands, or did exactly what had worked every time before.  They were unable to help the boy, and scratched their heads in wonder:  "Why isn't this working?"  Their theology teetered precariously on their shredded faith, not seeing the end they intended.  So they let the man go.  It seems they did not consider bringing the boy to Jesus!  It was the father who desperately sought Christ after his son's problems persisted, but the disciples did not share his desperation.  In their minds they had failed:  why involve Jesus at all with this embarrassing humiliation?  The demon inside this little boy had them beat, and they couldn't understand why or how it was possible.  Ignore the issue, and maybe it would just go away in time.

The man did what the disciples failed to do, but only at the prompting of Jesus.  He brought his son to the disciples, but seeing their failure he came alone to Jesus.  How sad!  Perhaps it is clear now why Jesus said, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I bear with you?"  Then He gave the command which should have been the immediate response of both the man and the disciples concerning the possessed boy:  "Bring him here to Me."  Do we seek help from other people, books, or articles before we bring ourselves in humility before Jesus?  When we are confronted with the problems of other people, do we bring those people before Jesus through intercessory prayer?  Do we bring them to Christ in faith as Saviour?  When we neglect to go to Christ or forget to bring them to Christ, we will be unable to solve even the small problems in this life.  Yet when we go to Christ and bring others to Him, we will experience deliverance and salvation beyond explanation.

How many unsaved people in this world are disillusioned because they have sought help and hope in men but not in Christ!  And there are far too many Christians (one is too many!) who deny themselves victory and power because of unbelief.  If we believe ourselves sufficient, we will be proved powerless.  People do not need ministries and sermons and studies to be free from oppression and sin:  they need Jesus.  You have a problem?  Bring it to Jesus.  Are you aware of hurting people with needs?  Bring them to Jesus.  Do you have questions?  Bring them to Jesus and you will see that He has been the answer all along.

No More Guilt or Shame

Guilt and shame are God-given tools to move people to confession and repentance before Him.  Too many times, however, feelings of condemnation are tolerated and justified in the life of a Christian who has repented of a sin.  To those who are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation for those who have repented and forsaken their sins.  Old sins need not weigh us down, for the blood of Jesus is sufficient to atone for them.  The justice of God has been satisfied through His sacrifice, and we are free of all guilt and shame by grace through faith.

God has chosen to remember the sins of His people no more, but the devil is only too happy to remind us of our transgressions.  His accusing voice rings in our heads, and because we agree we have done wrong there may be a temptation to allow his venomous attacks without resistance.  When we wander from Christ, He calls us to return to Him.  There is no waiting period for God's forgiveness, some penance that first must be endured before we will be accepted back into fellowship with God when we truly repent.  The scripture says without reservation in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  "That's too easy," some might complain - like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son who returned to his father.  Was the cross too small a payment in your estimation?  That is what it cost God for man to be forgiven of a single sin.  The devil and men alike want men to pay with guilt and shame for their sins when Christ has paid already.

When the book of the Law was read in Nehemiah's day, the people wept when they heard it.  They were remorseful and contrite for their wrongs.  They had sinned greatly against God and without atonement His great wrath would be upon them.  Fresh out of captivity and they had entered into sins that were the cause of their captivity for 70 years!  If man was God, he might be satisfied for people to remain in their guilt and shame a bit longer, to make sure they really knew how great their transgressions were!  God is not like a man.  Those who repent and humble themselves before God in faith and repentance will be accepted by His grace.  Nehemiah 8:9-12 says, "And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our LORD. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." ¹¹ So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." ¹² And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."  Amazingly, the people were commanded not to weep.  Instead they were to rejoice because the joy of the LORD was their strength.  Their tears of sorrow were turned to tears of joy.  Their sins were great, but the atonement, forgiveness, grace, and acceptance of God was greater still.

If we practice sin, the absence of guilt and shame should be very concerning indeed.  This shows our hearts have been hardened and deceived, perhaps even unregenerate!  But if you are a Christian who has repented and forsaken sin, you should no longer bear the weighty yoke of guilt and shame for transgressions Christ has cleansed.  We do well to remember our faults so we will not repeat them.  Instead of drowning in sorrows and shame, and sinning further by pitying ourselves, let us choose to rejoice in the assurance of Christ's forgiveness through the promise of the Word.  Do not delay to come to Christ and be reconciled to Him through repentance.  Those who come to Christ He will by no means cast out (John 6:37).  May the joy of the LORD be your strength as you consider all your Saviour has done for you!