Know Joy Because Of Pain

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“We can only know joy to the degree we have known pain.”


This statement sort of hits me in the face.  Is this true?  Do I believe this statement?

To be honest, no.  I don’t.

At least not in the earthly sense of knowing joy.  On earth I know so many folks who so far, have known very little pain and loss.  Their families have experienced no tragedies.  They have not been abused.  And they know serious joy and rejoice in their lives and the Lord.  So their experience of pain in life doesn’t seem to dictate the amount of joy their lives contain.

There are folks who have also experienced horrendous loss and tragedy and still manage to find joy.  I don’t think they necessarily had to experience the gut wrenching pain in order to feel tremendous joy.  It does give some perspective though.

I believe that those who have suffered immensely on earth, will be rewarded in Heaven.  Enduring suffering and pain make us stronger.  It can help weave our fabric of faith and trust in God as we maneuver through it all.

So many scriptures testify to the love of God in all that we endure.

“Come to Me, all
you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and
lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For
My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew
11:28-30


“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles
himself with the affairs of this life, that he may
please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
2 Timothy
2:3-5


“…we…
endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.”


1 Corinthians 9:12

“…be
watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work
of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”


2 Timothy 4:5


What do you think?  Must we know great pain to know joy?

One Comment

  1. He has plans for us tho we don’t necessarily understand them at the time, that’s for sure!
    DonTolmanUSATeam recently posted..Asparagus…

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