If I kicked you in the shin what would you do? This may seem like a silly question but the answer to this may help us understand how we react to pain. In general, it is safe to say that most humans have the same pattern of response to an assault that inflicts pain. The visual display may look different but the reaction has similar foundations. This same response can not only be seen with physical pain but also with the infliction of emotional distress.

As I have been reflecting about the concept of pain, 3 steps (obviously not the only steps) of pain response come to mind that manifest in different ways.

1. Expression of Pain (OUCH!)- When many experience an unwelcome trespass on their comfort, the natural urge is to make that infraction known. The reflex of expression shows the assailant that harm has been done and that, at the very least, restitution is deserved. Some try to mask this step by acting like everything is okay, but the bottled hurt manifests itself in other areas of life.

2. Anger- When a person comes to terms with the fact that there has been harm done to them, anger or indignation occurs. This anger causes the mind to think of ways justice can be served. “Lashing out” for retribution often occurs. This reaction could be passive, and the individual may seek justice but this justice may look more like “pity” or the infliction of guilt on the opponent.

3. Questioning the Event- When someone is “kicked in the shin”, as was started earlier; the final response may be to question why they were the one hurt. Often times, if the answer is not adequate to the one harmed a new pattern of pain commences. A new cycle has begun.

Why am I saying all of this? Well, we can see this same pattern in our spiritual lives. Many people have been dealing with deep pain for a very long time. Pain that is unresolved can feed a cycle that leads to deeper anger, bitterness, and even addictions. If we can’t understand why we are hurting, or even refuse to seek an answer (we have become comfortable in our suffering) then doubt, fear, anxiety, or unhealthy relationships have a natural breeding ground.

Seek to understand how you respond to pain.

God is not calling us to lead a pain free life, but to be a living example of what healing looks like.

This post was written by Rev DeCrastos.  You can find the original post with comments here:  http://otherwordsdotnet.wordpress.com/2012/09/14/the-pattern-of-pain/

BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Sometimes it takes me a little longer than usual to go to sleep. My mind is kept awake by the rehearsing of my schedule for the next day, different concerns regarding the previous day, and whether or not I will be able to sleep because of these thoughts presently. The fact is worry, concern, or anxiety is hard to get away from. I can take a vacation, but often it takes me half of the time period to clear my mind and focus on the present relaxation. No matter how relaxed we seem to be, we may always have some degree of concern for the future. This is a part of our culture. Some people justify this concern by saying that they are wanting to prepare for a number of different scenerios. Others would say that it is a result of using our time wisely. Sure, preparation for everyday tasks and appointments is extremely important, but the moment it grows to anxiety is a symptom of something greater. Wouldn’t it be great if our lives were not controlled by fear? The “what if” that floats around our heads regularly….

The Bible tells us that this dream can actually become a reality. We can actually place our burdens upon the shoulders of Jesus. Often this makes us uncomfortable, because we think that He may be too busy. Truth be told…I have thought that at times. 


Then I think about God’s character. 


He is all knowing, all loving, all powerful… The one who created the universe can surely bear my burdens.

Ultimately, no amount of information gathering (or worrying) in the present can fully prepare us for what is to come. We can be assured, however, that Jesus is already waiting for us at the intersection of now and tomorrow. Only He can give us true peace in knowing that He has everything under control.

No Jesus no peace….Know Jesus know peace.

This post was written by Rev DeCrastos.  You can find the original post with comments here:  
http://otherwordsdotnet.wordpress.com/2012/09/12/manufacturing-fear/

BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.

I was with him in the hospital.  This missionary had been hospitalized for anxiety.  "I don't know what's wrong with me, I can't stop worrying and shaking.  My insides just feel like they are made of jello."  

This missionary had been on the mission field  for several years and had much success at bringing the gospel to an indigenous people in a country in South America.  However, now, he was having emotional issues that have taken him out of his ministry.  We discussed his past, his calling, his mission and he was truly a remarkable man.  We discussed his spiritual life and all seemed in place, with one exception:  he had been cursed by the local "bruja".  This witch had performed a ceremony to bring down Christ's influence among "her people."   Her home was within site of the church that had been established in this community.  He had seen her performing her "brujeria" during one of his sermons in his church.  

Somehow, this witch's "power" had gotten to him and he began to worry, doubting God's ability to protect him from such brujeria.  We prayed at every session asking God to protect him and show us what He wanted us to do.  One time, while praying, the missionary stopped praying and yelled, "that is it!"  A big smile spread across his face and he said, "I now know what's been going on!" He proceeded to tell me he had heard a cryptic story that a few of the church members told him about a "service" that the bruja held just outside the church in the middle of the nite.  From that point on, the missionary became stronger and much less anxious.  He began to talk about "taking the church back from the witch."  Within less than two weeks after his epiphany, he was discharged and returned to his mission field.

About a month later, I received a terrific letter of explanation and testimony from this missionary.  Evidently, what had happened, when he returned to the church, he told his congregation about his feelings about this bruja and told them he was determined to not let her win this spiritual battle.  During prayer with his congregation, it was revealed to them that they should dig in the dirt of the northwest corner, just outside the church.  Several members and the missionary went outside and started digging.  After a bit, they found a talisman buried there.  One of the members, who used to be into brujeria identified the object as something used to curse people.  The missionary promptly continued the service where the talisman was burned in a fire.    In his letter, he proceeded to tell me how he felt as if there was a new freedom in the church after that.

However, what was most interesting, is that he wrote me, "I was foolish to believe that satan had any power over me and the church.  I was fighting to defeat the devil and I had no need to do so.  A talisman is just that, a talisman.  It has no power and no ability to hurt me.  I learned from that experience that I didn't need to fight, I just needed to relax and let God fight for me.  I was being a missionary under my own power.  Now, Jesus is running this mission field."

This story was a real faith builder for me and I hope it is for you.  We don't need to fear, we need to trust God and count on His faithfulness.  Satan can't do anything except try to intimidate and scare.  His power lies in his ability to spread fear and doubt.  Satan is full of bluster and bluff and has no power over us.  As long as we stay connected to God's Holy Spirit, we are victorious.

BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

We can hang on to our attempts to control ourselves and others and stay anxious. Or we can let go and let God.

We are anxious because we think we have to take care of everything and everybody. We are anxious because we believe we cannot be happy unless we can control the people we love. We are anxious because life's problems are more than we can handle, but we try to handle them on our own anyway.

God invites us to give up our anxious way of life. We do not have to take care of everything and everybody. We can, instead, let God take care of us. We can bring our anxious hearts and our long lists of concerns to God.

Responding to this invitation requires a great deal of us. It requires that we acknowledge that we cannot do what we have been trying to do. We are powerless. It requires that we turn to God. It requires that we release our control, our anxiety, our very lives into God's care.

God invites us to serenity. "Give up your anxiety," God says "bring the concerns of your heart to me."

I am anxious, Lord.
And I feel guilty about feeling anxious.
And I feel anxious about feeling guilty.
And I feel anxious about feeling guilty about feeling anxious.
Help!

I am overwhelmed by all I am trying to do.
I need your invitation to serenity.
I bring you my requests today, Lord.
I bring them to you.
I admit that I do not have the power to solve these problems.
I acknowledge that you are Powerful.
I ask you to take care of me today.
Amen.

Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
National Association for Christian Recovery