NO DETOUR THROUGH PAIN - Joni Eareckson Tada - Constantly trying to avoid pain cuts us off from experiencing true, biblical joy that God gives when we suffer as Jesus suffered.

No Detour Through Pain  

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word on National Arthritis Month. 

It’s got to be one of the most discouraging ailments around, especially when a low pressure system rolls in, right? 

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I have arthritis in both my hips – not sure how I developed it, given that I haven’t walked or run in almost five decades! But I guess the hips can get a lot of wear and tear when you sit down all the time like I do.

And believe me, when I see storm clouds gathering in the distance, the first place I feel it is in my hips. The pain and stiffness can be so debilitating, and if you have arthritis, I know you understand. So what do you do with all that pain?

Well, some reach for Tylenol; some bend and stretch and drink lots of water; some immerse themselves in a really good distraction like a house project, or a good book, or an outing with friends. 

Still others just put their head down and plow through pain.  We do everything we can to avoid it. Pain, especially severe pain from arthritis, is something most people dread. We fear it. We do anything to escape it.

But did you know that a common obstacle to celebrating life fully is your avoidance of pain? Our culture does everything it can to try to convince us

that we really can live a painless life. Culture insists that pain is abnormal and that it can be done away with. If it can’t be subdued by drugs, it can be eradicated through acupuncture or surgery.

And if that doesn’t work, you can immerse yourself in bio-feedback to convince your mind that the pain is really not there; it’s all in your head. Some people spend a fortune doing nothing but hopping from one treatment to the next, all in the pursuit of a pain-free life. But is that even possible?

Well, if you look at the Bible, you begin to understand that life is supposed to be difficult. Even Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble. And when He carried the painful burden of His own cross, He tells us in I Peter chapter 2 that that has set an example of how we are to approach pain.

Look, I'm not glorifying suffering; I'm not saying pain is a really good thing, but to be constantly trying to avoid it, well to do that, is to live half-alive. That’s because God has designed true joy, I mean real

biblical joy, to always be filtered through pain. God shares His joy on His terms, and those terms call for us to, in some measure, suffer as Jesus suffered.

So when we cut ourselves off from pain, we have unwittingly cut ourselves off from joy as well. And that’s the truth. When we become Christians, we don’t get a detour around problems; we get a guided tour through them. First Thessalonians 5:18 says we’re called to ‘rejoice always’ and ‘give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’

So today, if a low pressure is on the horizon and your arthritis is acting up, sure, reach for the medicine cabinet and take the edge off your pain as best you can. But don’t think it can be totally eradicated. 

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Take a deep breath and look for the blessings God can give in the midst of pain, blessings like a deeper trust, a sweeter nearness with your Savior who has suffered; a dependence on prayer and God's Word; the chance to be united with Him in His afflictions, and a stronger

reliance on His grace.

For that’s when your Heavenly Father will pour out His joy into your heart. 

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If Jesus could endure His cross for the joy that was set before Him, then today, give thanks in your painful circumstances, for as you do, the door may well open, surprisingly … to God’s joy.

Would you want God to change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.

Say the following prayer:

“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You.

I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.

Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.

I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank You that according to Your Word, I am now born again.

Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.

Use me for Your glory.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”

http://www.joniandfriends.org/radio/5-minute/no-detour-through-pain/

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Impossible Circumstances 
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http://puricarefiles.blogspot.com/2016/07/trials-even-though-we-are-assured-of.html

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For the Joy that Lay before Him

http://puricarefiles.blogspot.com/2016/05/christ-endured-cross-for-joy-that-lay.html

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“People Need The Lord”       

         Steve Green

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GOLZdZsHzM

             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AibBR6j2g54

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxzEJTKxIjQ

lyrics

Everyday they pass me by, 
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care, 
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain, 
Living fear to fear.

Laughter hides their silent cries, 
Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.

What would be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives, 
For people need the Lord.
People need the Lord.