Did you know that emotional pain can actually be a good thing?We have all heard the expression, "No pain, no gain". We all know that in order to get our physical bodies toned and in shape we must endure the painful after-effects of rigorous exercise. Well, our mental and emotional health can be painful also and can actually benefit us much like exercise does our bodies.
The ideal world would be one where we never experience any significant emotional problems. But, because we're not perfect and our natural nature is sinful, it is inevitable that problems are going to surface. Some will be caused by ourselves and some by others.
These problems and events can be an important signal to us that somewhere in the core of us there is a thought pattern that needs correcting. Therefore, our emotional suffering can become an important catalyst for our growth and maturity. These seasons in our life can alert us and even motivate us to change when we have strayed off course.
We can become wiser and stronger through trials. Our experiences can also serve as lessons that can benefit others who are going through similar things. We will actually know what it is like to walk in their shoes and can offer them hope and encouragement.
Sometimes we become very hard-headed and stubborn and God actually has to use discomfort in our lives to get our attention and to teach us life lessons. We can actually look back to those things eventually and be glad we went through them. We will be grateful for the wisdom and toughness gained from our temporary pain.
"...but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perserverance; and perserverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4, NIV)
"...Perserverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4, NIV)
