Pain & Content
Hope is an idea that we all can relate to. Ethnicity. Race. Gender. Age. Politics. Social class. Rich or poor. Wise or foolish. And yes, even religious affiliation. Sometimes it takes pain to make us find hope. After all, how would we know Christ if we didn’t confess our sin?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been studying about the motives behind feeling pain. And it’s amazing to consider: pain is among the strongest motivators in existence. Is it not? Could you relate? Don’t get me wrong. We all can agree ruminating on pain from the past can be rather debilitating and unhealthy. This article isn’t in reference to such. Rather, it’s a reference to temporary pain. A “season” of pain. A sort of pain not only with a dark cave, but also a light at the end of the tunnel.
I’ve heard small mumblings over the years about some small, side questions concerning both pain and heaven. Questions like, “Will I see my pet cat in heaven?” Or “Will heaven be boring?” Small stuff like that… It’s quite redundant. And it’s quite simple to solve. Here’s the answer: God says heaven is only full of eternal happiness. Spoiler alert: Heaven is only full of eternal happiness. Don’t sweat over possible disappointments. There are none. We find only abundant life in heaven for those of us who follow Christ. So the concept of heaven should always be related to the idea of eternal hope. There’s no need of fear.
Overall, the bible points to two possible sources we can find inspiration for a Godly life: (1) pain, and (2) thankfulness… On one side, there is James 1:2–8. The testing of our faith produces perseverance. On the other, there is 1 Corinthians 9:7. God loves a cheerful giver. And wherever we are in life, we are either in one season or the other. Two sides of a coin. And both sides are good.
And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love,
Grey clouds roll over the hills,
Bringing darkness from above.
And the walls kept tumbling down
In the city that we love,
Grey clouds roll over the hills,
Bringing darkness from above.
~ the song “Pompeii” by Bastille
