Snip, Suture, & Pain Pills

“There is a higher place to go in your pain than just toward the removal of it. Your real goal should be to discover God and His grace in this place of pain… and to grasp a certainty that He is there with you.” – Os Hillman

A dear friend of mine just had his gallbladder removed (and by a robot, no less!) He had been experiencing some severe abdominal pain and it got so bad that his wife took him to the emergency room. The doctors there quickly diagnosed him as having gallstones that required the removal of his gall bladder in its entirety.

I am thankful that my friend is now on the mend. In fact, he was able to go home the same day! After a few weeks of rest, he should be good as new.

Wouldn’t it be great if every discomfort in life could be handled as easily? Snip, suture, and some pain pills for the first few days post-op… and voila! Unfortunately, life isn’t that simple. Some pain – such as divorce or the death of a child – cuts so deeply that it feels like it will never end. Yes, time may diminish its severity, but it still leaves a physical, emotional, spiritual, or psychological scar.

So, what is a person to do if they find themselves in the midst of such a trial, where the pain seems unbearable? Os Hillman’s advice is to run to Jesus as quickly as you can. James 4:8 reads, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Other verses that offer comfort during life’s storms include Proverbs 18:24; Isaiah 42:3; and Hebrews 13:5… all of which are listed below for your encouragement. God bless you!

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (ESV)

“A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3 (BSB)

“For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President