The Gift of Pain!

Ecclesiastes 3:9- 10   
⁹ What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
¹⁰ I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.

            Many times in life we forget how important our perspective or outlook is in regards to any situation that we encounter.   If we examine the outcome of any situation, our outlook probably played a major part in the outcome of the situation.  How do you view uncomfortable, painful, and unsettling situations?  Do you complain about them?  Do you have a hard time embracing them?  Do you try to avoid them?

            Solomon helps us with our perspective about life and painful situations.  He adjusted his perspective in this chapter.  He brings God into the equation which broadened his perspective.  In the midst of our situation we might need to stop and try to view things from God’s perspective.  He addresses the different seasons of life in this chapter.  He addresses each season of life from a contrastive or comparative view.  He wants us to understand that God balances us out with things we view as good and bad. 

In verse 9, Solomon indicates we will not be able to always explain things about life.  God has arranged everything according to his time.  God wants us to embrace life and all it has to offer to the fullest.  Life is a gift from God.  We should be thankful for our life and all that God allows to come our way.  All of us have to come to grip with the fact God has assigned pain to everyone of our lives.  We can’t escape from pain.  Why do we look at pain from such a negative perspective?  Pain is the process God uses to make us productive. 

God uses pain to accomplish his purpose.  Wheat cannot be eaten until it is ground into grain.  A nail is useless until a hammer pounds it into a surface.  Clay is fragile and unstable until it is put into the oven and baked.  God has a job to perform with our lives.  We have to learn to view pain as an opportunity for God to transform us into who he ultimately desires for us to be.   

God bless and keep you is my prayer.