Seth Barnes Jan 12, 2006 7:00 PM

Wrestling with pain

The world is a painful place. We're born screaming, we wrestle with the vulnerability of childhood and the awkwardness of adolescence. Then, we fight ...

Subscribe


The world is a painful place. We're born screaming, we wrestle with the vulnerability of childhood and the awkwardness of adolescence. Then, we fight a losing battle against our gradually deteriorating bodies. Along the way, we experience the abuse of bullies, the loss of those we love, and the pain of illness.

In the face of such a grim drumbeat of events, a life filled with laughter would seem improbable if not miraculous. Set against such a backdrop, our life-long pursuit of comfort is understandable.

The problem is that an incessant pursuit of comfort dulls the very nerve-endings that enable us to experience pleasure. Numbness is not a solution to the problem of pain.

The Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee describes why pain is spiritually necessary and a good thing. Just about any book by Henri Nouwen or Brennan Manning delve into the problem of pain and how in sharing it we become more human and paradoxically more divine.

If you find yourself too comfortable or perhaps numb, I've found that nothing takes the place of experiencing the awesome feeling of an orphan in your lap on a swing in the sunshine. Thinking as you're swinging, "what must it be like to be young and vulnerable without parents?" Feeling compassion wash over your heart.

Comments


Comment created and will be displayed once approved.

Related Blogs

Who will roll away the stone?

Who will roll away the stone?

Jesus came to set the captives free. Of course we're not in prison, so we figure...

By Seth Barnes
Becoming a safe person

Becoming a safe person

"I don't hate you, Seth" said the man who had been designated as my mentor. "...

By Seth Barnes
Going through a desert experience

Going through a desert experience

Karen and the kids took me to Atlanta for Father's Day yesterday. We starte...

By Seth Barnes

Related Races (3)

Southeast Asia | Semesters | January 2026

Southeast Asia | Semesters | January 2026

South Africa | Semesters | June 2026

South Africa | Semesters | June 2026

South Africa | Semesters | August 2026

South Africa | Semesters | August 2026

Next article

Reckless abandon

Our AI generated post content for you!

Here's a suggested caption you can copy and tweak.