Lessons Learned from My Sickness – Part 2: The Indispensability of Pain
By Pastor Ronny Luces
Too often, we want to avoid pain. We don’t like its sensation. We are simply uncomfortable with it.
But do you know that when Christ described the experience of great joy – he mentioned the pain of childbirth?
According to him in John 16:21, a woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy.
There’s simply no pain greater than childbirth, and no greater joy aside from it either.
I was subjected to many painful medical procedures. A chest tube for thoracostomy (CTT) was inserted into my body to drain my lungs’ fluids.
For several days, I have to carry that tube wherever I go – to the OR, the x-ray room, and the restroom. I have to bear the discomfort it brings.
But I know that my painful experience is part of my treatment and, consequently, my healing. I can’t be healed unless I experience pain.
There’s simply no shortcut or easy way out if I want to be healed.
For that tube was also used for my pleurodesis treatment.
So I learned to value that painful experience.
Instead of complaining, I learned to accept pain as part of my healing.
As they say, no pain – no gain.
Are you suffering any pain? Physical, emotional, relational, etc.?
It’s given to you as an indispensable process of your healing. May God continue to bless you!
Posted on FB: 2 March 2015 – 3:37 PM
About the Author
Rev. Ronny Luces was the Minister for Administration and Community Service of the Jaro Evangelical Church (JEC), Iloilo City, Philipines. He and his wife, Martha have been with JEC’s ministry since 1994.
Pastor Ronny graduated from Central Philippine University College of Theology in 1985 and was pastor of several Baptist churches.
In January 2015, after tests and two long hospital confinements, Pastor Ronny got the word he had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
Praying for healing and going through all the medical processes, Pastor Ronny wrote his reflections “Lessons Learned from My Sickness”. In July 2015, he passed away.
May Pastor Ronny’s series of reflections and meditations strengthen your hope and faith as you go through your own life’s battles.
Leave a Reply