Pain-Avoidant World
Pentecost Greetings!
It’s been a while since I’ve shared my thoughts with you. Life got a hold of me and pushed me away from some of the things that are good for my soul. Time to get back on track.
This week as I am reading articles in preparation for Sunday’s sermon, this phrase stuck with me from an article by John van de Laar: “In our pain-avoidant world…." I have thought about that phrase a lot as I get to the end of the day and my elbow hurts and I pop the Advil into my mouth; as my soul hurts from distresses I feel over certain Scriptures I’m trying to interpret and understand before sharing them with others, and I just decide not to use those verses for now; as my feelings are hurt and I avoid the pain by avoiding someone I care about. The list goes on and on.
Pain is a motivator.
Pain can be life-changing.
Pain can be good.
It all depends on how we view it and deal with it. The pain in my elbow forces me to do something about it besides taking the Advil: to exercise it, see a doctor, do some physical therapy. The pain in my soul drives me to seek out others to help me understand or try to understand the Bible so I can take it to heart and express it myself. The pain from hurt feelings drives me to figure out what happened in the relationship and work to restore it.
Last night in our women’s group at First Trinity we watched Rob Bell’s video "Luggage” and talked about wounds, scars and forgiveness. One woman said it’s comforting to her to know that Jesus is always right there holding her hand and knows what’s going on in her life. A very nice visual during times of pain.
I feel pain, and I am grateful. Otherwise I’d be stuck, close-minded and unchangeable. Emotions are good. It took me many years to realize that. I remember when our cat of 20 years died. Patches just fell asleep curled up under the table. I went to wake her up and see if she was okay, and she was not going to wake up. I began to cry and cry a lot. Aaron, my youngest son, was there with me and said that was the first time he ever saw me cry. He had to be about 10 at the time. How sad that was that I pent up all those tears that long. I’m still not a “crier” but don’t stop myself any longer. Not crying was a way to avoid the pain. If I didn’t cry then I wasn’t in pain. I also didn’t show much joy at that time in my life either.
Jesus felt pain, loss, grief and he wept. If my God can do it, so can I - unashamedly. My life is in God’s hands as he holds my hand through it all.
May you feel God’s presence in your life through the others that come along side of you in your pain. May your tears flow and your laughter increase.
Psalm 37: 24:
The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won’t fall.
Deuteronomy 31: 8
But the LORD is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared!”
God is with you!
Hope
Announcements for First Trinity Lutheran Church, 5321 E. 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46226
Thursday, August 24
7pm Neighborhood Association Meeting
Friday, August 25
9am - 3pm
Volunteers from Roche will be out to help spruce up our facilities. You are welcome to come help.
Saturday, August 26
9am Men’s Gathering with Bible Study, breakfast and courtyard clean up.
Sunday, August 27
10:45 am Worship focusing on our call from God. Check out Jeremiah 15: 15 - 21, Psalm 26: 1-8, Romans 12: 9 - 21 and Matthew 16: 21 - 28 which the service will be based upon.
Monday, August 28
11:30am Women’s Bible study looking at the lessons from worship on Sunday
Tuesday, August 29 Hope on vacation through September 5. Time for holding all my grandbabies! :-) Pastor Steve Albertin will be leading worship on Sunday, September 4, and there will be no women’s study on the 5th due to Labor Day.
Thuesday
