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Pain is the reminder that the real Enemy is trying to take us out and bring us down by keeping us stuck in broken places. If we can grasp God’s perspective, pain can be the gift that motivates us to fight with brave tenacity and fierce determination, knowing there’s healing on the other side.

We must invite God into our pain to help us survive the desperate in-between.

The only other choice is to run from the pain by using some method of numbing. But numbing the pain—with food, achievements, drugs, alcohol, or endlessly scrolling on social media—never goes to the source of the real issue to make us healthier. It only silences our screaming need for help. What numbs us imprisons us. If we avoid the hurt, the hurt creates a void in us. 

Pain (physical, spiritual, financial, relational, etc.) is the sensation that indicates a transformation is needed. There’s a weakness where new strength needs to enter. And we must choose to pursue long-term strength rather than temporary relief.

So how do we get this new strength? We invite God’s closeness. Prayer is big enough to fill us with the realisation of His presence like nothing else. When we invite Him close, He always accepts our invitation.