Lord, Please Stop the Pain

Perspective. We all have it. But, what do we do with it? God used sand, a yellow shovel, and my son to teach me about perspective.

Last month on our beach vacation, I sat on the beach chair relaxing. I felt so tired and it was great to just be. Caleb decided to cover my feet. He pulled out his trusty yellow shovel. You could tell he was so proud to be using it. The sand felt good on my feet until the shovel started connecting with my feet. Ouch!

I asked Caleb to be more careful but the shovel kept hitting my feet. I started to get really frustrated, mad even.  Here I am trying to relax and my feet are getting hurt. It wasn’t fun anymore. And at that moment, the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart “Let it go. Caleb is doing something special for you.”

Let it go

I’ll be honest, I didn’t like what the Holy Spirit said. Let it go as a shovel knocked my feet for the umpteenth time? Let it go when I just wanted to sit and relax? After pouting inside, I chose to let it go. Instead, I watched the determination etched on Caleb’s face as he worked to cover my feet and legs. I chose to focus on Caleb serving and loving me. After a little while, the knocks didn’t hurt so much anymore.

It really is about your perspective when you find yourself in a tough spot. At first, I focused on what was hurting me. I wanted the pain to stop. After the Holy Spirit spoke, my perspective changed. I chose to see Caleb’s precious act of service instead.

Change your prayer

What hard situation is going on in your life right now? Many of you are facing some really hard times. I am sure you just want it to stop. I understand. I really do. I have prayed many, many times “God, please stop the pain” over the last year and a half with the struggles I am facing. My prayer has changed over this time. I now find myself praying “God, please give me your perspective in the pain. Please show me how you want me to grow or what I can learn from this pain.” This prayer doesn’t take my pain away but it does put my perspective in the right place.

I encourage you to lean into God and ask for His perspective in whatever you are facing today. I know it’s not easy to do and it won’t necessarily take away the pain. But God is with you every step of the way. He will fill you with all the strength you need. Rest in that truth today. Joining you in this journey…