Lenten Word 31: Pain

The movie "The Passion" was one I could only see once. It was a movie that did too good of a job in portraying the suffering and pain of Jesus. It hurt me to see it because I was the reason for all that pain that my Lord endured.

The Lord suffered not only physical pain but emotional pain. I remember hearing older people saying their heart broke or songs about heartache, and it wasn't until I went through it that I completely understood that sort of pain. Yes, life has pain and sometimes there is nothing we can do about it, but as we have journeyed with the Lord during these 40 days we know that with Jesus with us, we can endure and conquer all things.

Time heals all pain is not a universal truth; time may mask our pain and we'll be able to move forward and onward, but the memory what caused the pain visits us and we'll cry again or feel sad again. Yet, we move on. Hope moves us forward even in the midst of deep pain.

The prize is in sight: Jesus' victory over sin and death, pain included. Blessed be His Name!

PRAYER: Loving God, for Your presence in the midst of our pain, we are thankful. For Your suffering of anguish and heartache for our sake, we are deeply thankful. Journey yet with us towards the Passion of Your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen.