A Path Among the Rocks

“In the same way I will not cause pain, without allowing something new to be born,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 66:9

Hello dear readers – it’s been another minute since we last talked.  I’ve been busy recovering from kidney stones and kidney stone removal procedures so I’ve been out of commission for a while.  What a journey this has been.  Patience is not one of my virtues in any area of my life, so being forced to be still during this healing process as taught me a hard lesson or two that I hope will have changed me on the other side of it.  Pain just for the sake of pain isn’t much fun, so I hope the end result of this painful journey will be a healthier me.

 I guess pain has been on my mind quite a bit lately, but as I read our verse above, it seemed to be a mix of both the sobering reality of pain and hope.  That’s an odd combination, isn’t it?  And it struck me pretty profoundly.  On the one hand, it’s clear that pain can have a purpose and accomplish something great.  On the other hand, well, it’s painful.  And no one much cares for pain.  I can attest to that with my recent sojourn into the land of unwell kidneys. 

This verse got me to thinking about pain mixed with the hope of “something new” that can only be attained through that painful process.  That’s a pretty tall order to accept.

I started to think about different examples of “something new” in our lives that might come with some pain.

Perhaps it’s the pain of sacrifice that will move you into that closer walk with God that can only come if you lay down and let go of some things that are blocking your path.

Perhaps it’s the pain of that commitment that you know you need to make to take that next step toward your “something new.”  Commitments like:

• Accepting Christ Jesus as your Savior or renewing your commitment to Him after a time in a spiritual wilderness. 
• Making the decision to use the spiritual gift that God has given you in the purpose He has already planned for you but you are scared to death of it. 
• Extending forgiveness anyway, even if it’s not deserved, because it’s been an anchor around your neck and you are drowning from the bitterness and unforgiveness that’s consuming you. 
• Focusing on family more instead of climbing that ladder because you know that you can’t have both. 

Perhaps it’s the pain of the withdrawals that only come when you have committed to lay down that drink, drug, behavior, relationship or any other thing that has a toxic hold on your life that you know must go.  Let’s face it, just because it’s bad for you doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel good or taste good.  If it didn’t, we wouldn’t have the withdrawals both physically, mentally and emotionally that we sometimes do.    

Perhaps it’s the pain that comes with seeking a new path forward that you are required to step off by faith and not by sight.  It’s a way you haven’t taken before, and the Lord is asking you to trust in Him and not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). 

Perhaps it’s the pain of the reality that’s sinking in that you can never go back to where you were.  Sometimes, the Lord’s call and hold on our lives take us in directions that we never planned or expected, but nonetheless, here we are.  Living by faith in a calling or purpose or a life that is not exactly easy all the time.

Perhaps it’s the pain of accepting that our loved one’s “something new” is a heavenly body that awaits them sooner rather than later.  For them, their something new is the best thing that will ever happen to them – walking hand in hand with Jesus, with no pain, no suffering – only joy and happiness.  Reunited with loved ones so desperately missed. Our pain is their gain.  That’s a tough one. 

What is your “something new“?

Through all of the causes of pain for us on our way to our “something new,” there is hope.  The verse tells us so because the Lord says that He would never cause or allow pain without accomplishing something through it.  God loves us – tenderly and unashamedly.  He dotes on us as a Father dotes on His beloved Son – perhaps even more because God’s pain in bringing something new for you and me was the sacrifice of His own Son. 

So, if this finds you standing in the middle of one of the causes of pain mentioned above, and especially if you haven’t taken hold of your “something new” yet, keeping standing.  Hold on and allow the pain to bring forth your “something new.” 

The Lord stands beside you (2 Timothy 4:17) constantly – to strengthen you because He loves you.  He understands the pain you are experiencing, and His Word can be a healing salve to your wounds.  Seek out His Word in your pain and let it minister to you.     

I am praying strength and courage for you today, wherever this finds you.  And if you have a friend or loved one that’s experiencing the pain of achieving their “something new,” encourage them that the journey and the reward will be worth it.  Our journeys may be unique, but we are all in this together, and we need each other.

You are so loved. 

Proactive:  Galatians 6:9 – Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

Defensive:  Psalm 139:10 – “even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.”

Promise:  Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Promise: Isaiah 43:19 – See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.