No Pain, No Gain

TITLE: No Pain, No Gain
DATE: April 12, 2019
TEXT: Romans 5:3-5 -(ESV) - 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Do you know what a Scotch bonnet chili pepper is?
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Well, I can tell you two things about the Scotch Bonnet:

1. It is a really really, really, really, really hot pepper.
2. Jo Cameron can eat one of those incredibly hot peppers while smiling.

The reason Jo can do this apparently superhuman feat is the same reason the 71-year old lady can undergo an excruciating hand surgery without blinking; it’s the same reason she carries on a regular schedule even though she has a hip mostly eaten away by arthritis.

And the reason for Jo’s seeming immunity to pain is simple: for some, special genetic–reason she is immune to pain.
Apparently, she has always been immune to pain.

• She gave birth to children… and she put in no request for any kind of medication to get her through the labor pains.
• She has had a lot of dental work done, but she always skips the Novocain and nitrous oxide.

Amazingly, Jo thought everybody was the same as she. It was only when she was 65 that she realized she was special. At that point the Physicians came to her and said the pain from her bad hip should be keeping her bedridden… But it wasn’t.
Now you may think that no pain is a good thing. I do, too. If I had to pick a life it would be pain free.

But the Lord and Jo Cameron know a painless life isn’t without it’s downside. For example:

• If Jo Cameron breaks a bone she doesn’t feel it
• If she burns her hand, often the first indication that something is wrong is the smell of her own burning digits.

What I’m trying to say is that the Lord gives us pleasure and He allows pain. Although we would like to be in control of when and how much pain comes, the Lord retains control…and He does so for a reason. Look at the verse above and note the progression which reminds me, ever-so much of dominos falling down…

We rejoice in suffering. Why?

Suffering produces endurance. (You know, no pain, no gain.)

Endurance produces character and character produces hope, hope which is centered and fixed on the Savior Who gave His life to free us from sin, sorrow AND suffering.

Now I’m not going to ask the Lord for a whole boatload of suffering in my prayers tonight… but I will thank Him for letting me know why suffering and pain may come.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that You are the One Who determines what things come my way. I rejoice because You know what is best for me… and what is best is not something that I might not order up for myself.  So let me, in all situations, follow my Lord Who prayed, “Your will be done.” In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written for Newser by Richard Kemeny on March 28, 2019 .  Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/273159/woman-feels-no-pain-didnt-realize-it-until-age-65.html

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html