Pain, if you didn’t already know, is a good thing. It tells us that something is wrong and prompts us to seek help. No one likes pain, but it is a necessary part of life, and we need to learn to celebrate its value.

Often, when we think of pain, we think of physical pain. But there’s another pain that’s just as real. It’s the emotional pain we sometimes bear. Some have said they would accept physical pain over emotional pain any day, perhaps because physical pain is more easily medicated and dealt with. The pain of a toothache is quickly taken care of at the dentist’s office. The pain of a broken arm is soon stabilized with a cast and medication. Emotional pain of the heart, well, that takes time, and there’s no quick solution.

Personally, I believe that we need to learn to celebrate the emotional pain that comes our way. Rather than looking at it as an enemy, we need to view it as a friend. A friend who isn’t going to take away our life as an enemy would, but rather one that’s going to teach us about life. A friend who will, in the end, make us strong and a better person. One that will help us lead others to traverse and navigate the difficult terrain of emotional pain. 

I am reminded of what Saint Paul said in Romans 8:28, “We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” Of course, the operative words are “when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” When I understand that the emotional pain I’m experiencing has purpose, I can embrace it as something happening for me rather than to me. It doesn’t take it away or lessen its burden, but it does give me hope, and it’s in that hope that I am able to endure. Perhaps if we’d learn to look at life as something to be lived rather than endured, we might find hope in all things, the good and the bad. Think about it.