No pain, no growth

  • Gordon Cone
  • May 27, 2012
  • Series: Not Part of Series

Question:   Can you think of a time where you experienced pain, a trial, struggle, etc. and grew from it?

As I ask myself that question, I can think of times where pains, trials, and struggles have resulted in me growing.  While I might not realize it in the moment, at some point latter (hours, days, years) I realize how God used that pain, trial, or struggle to grow me.

I’ve titled this message “No pain, no growth”.     Let me say a couple of things up front:

  • ·         God does not cause pain in lives. Pain is part of the fallen world we live in. It’s one of those mysteries that Christians, including myself, struggle with.  Why would such a loving God allow pain in our lives?   One thing to consider:  If all was well with the world and everything was perfect, why would we even need God?
  • ·         Growth can happen without pain.   It’s just that often that pain results in growth.

Now then, let’s look at how pain can result in growth.    As I’ve thought about this message and things that have been happening in my life lately, I saw the parallel to the balanced life approach that Campus Life teaches.   

                [The following adapted from Campus Life “All In” 2011-2012 Curriculum – kick off meeting]

There are four areas to a balanced life: Mental, Physical, Spiritual and Social. Campus Life students and the caring adults that lead Campus Life are challenged mentally as they express their opinions and listen to others. Campus Life students and adults are challenged physically with crazy games and the trips they take (Campus Life folks – who’s been on the ropes course at North Bay?]. Since the spiritual area is often the most ignored, Campus Life meetings always take time to consider what God has to say about the topics that are discussed. And socially, well, that's what most students say keeps them coming back.

Campus Life did not make this stuff up.  It comes out of the bible. Luke2:52 says “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

Since we are supposed to be like Jesus, we should follow what Jesus did and grow in these same areas.

Let’s look at these areas and see how pain can result in growth.  I’m going to share examples from my own. I hope you can identify with my examples and/or think of some of your own.

Mental

For me, the first thing that comes to mind with regards to pain and metal is learning.   I think all the young people can agree with me when I say school is a pain in the ass.

 Guess what? Learning does not stop when you get out of school.   My day job is a software engineer; I need to keep myself current with technology that is always changing.  While I might not use things that I learn right away in my job (since many companies including the one I work for are slow to adapt new technology),   if I don’t and things go bad at the company I work for, I could end up with no job and no marketable skills.  Now that would be a very big pain in the ass!

It’s just not software engineers.   Plumbers and electricians have to keep with changes in the building codes. Printer techs have to keep up with new printers. Retail workers have to keep up with the changes in their stores.  Auto machines have to keep up with changings in auto technology. The list goes on.

For several years, I was coasting and not keeping up with new technology that much.   I know the tools and languages my current employer uses and  I thought that I didn’t need to learn new stuff as my employer would probably not use it and I’m pretty safe at my employer.   Fast forward and things have changed.  I don’t feel as safe at my employer as I used to and some newer stuff is finally making its way in.   For the past couple of years now, I have been cracking the books, going to user group meetings and getting certifications in the technology I work with. It’s been a pain. It’s been a challenge.  It would have been a lot easier if I learned it as it came out.   I’ve also found out learning is not as easy as it was back when I was younger.  I have failed certification tests. In fact I just missed passing a test by a few points last December.   How have I grown?  I’ve had to accept my failed attempts, go work on it some more, and try again.  I’ve grown to “Never give up! Never surrender!” (at least in this area).  I’ve realized that once I get caught up that I need to stay caught up.  I’ve grown in my confidence in the technology that I use enough that I went to what’s called a “Give Camp” last October.  A Give Camp is where a bunch of software geeks like myself get together and code for charity.   I was able to go and hold my own against other seasoned people in the technology.  Had a blast!

Physical

Moving on, let’s consider the physical area.    Late last year I joined (kicking and screaming) to a gym.  Does anybody here really enjoy going to gym?   For those of that raised your hands, I know a good therapist you might want to talk to.   Just kidding! 

Think it goes without saying that going to gym involves pain.  Achy mussels after you work out!  Why do we put ourselves through this?

I’ve been going somewhat regular for a while now.  I’ve been feeling better.  I’ve been growing to.  The will power to get up out of bed on the days I go to gym and go.  The will power to make it through my workout.    Going to yoga classes has helped with the stress in my life.  Note here that physical pain is resulting in mental growth!  Physically, I’ve grown stronger and have more stamina as well. 

Illustration: Quickly running up 4 flights of stairs on the ship.  Right after show and elevators were packed.  Some people like my wife where packing into the elevators, others were running up the stairs to meet the people that went into the elevators. I decided to join in the fun. Pictures of the action:

  • ·         Deck 7 – let’s go
  • ·         Deck 8 – feeling fine
  • ·         Deck 9 – Feeling it now
  • ·         Deck 10 – Really – why did I do this? I’m getting too old for this stuff.
  • ·         Deck 11 – Made it.  Bit winded, but if I did the same last year I probably would have been on the floor.

Social

Let’s think about the social area now.  I’m an introvert and I’m very task oriented.   I don’t do social things.

Question: Any introverts in da house? 

Being up here is not easy.  I much rather be back in tech world doing my thing.  Doing the social thing is an area I know I need to work on and get reminded of time and time again.  

Question: Any newcomers in da house?

As a member of the Matt’s House lead them I should be seeking out new faces and saying hi.  I fail at that.  I’ve often said let the relational people be relational and let the introverts stay behind the scenes.    But that does not work.    Introverts have to do relational things at times.

A recent example of this happened to me on the cruise.  My wife (who is very relational) decided she wanted to go to a salsa dance class.  She said that I could come and just watch.   That’s was fine by me.  Let’s get something straight here: I can’t dance!   I can’t drop it like a tot, I can’t get jigy,  I can’t let the dogs out, I don’t  dance!

Well we get there and she ends up not having a partner.   Guess who got dragged into it?  For the next hour, I fought with myself to stay in the class.   The good thing I wasn’t the only person that did not know what they are doing.  The instructor was all over the guy next to me.  I got some “attention” from the instructor as well.  Who likes getting attention from the instructor?  In the end I survived, and my tolerance for making a fool of myself grew.

Spiritual

Last but not least there is the spiritual area.  I’ve been struggling here for a while.  Late last year, I felt like I was totally disconnected from God, totally empty and had nothing to give. 

A started some things a few months ago.  I’ve been trying to get in at least one quiet time a week.  I started listening to the Christian radio station on a regular basis again instead of the nothing or talk radio. I’m part of a discipleship group that meets every week.  

It’s been hard and it’s still a work in progress. It’s a pain sometimes to carve out the time in my really busy schedule.  The good thing is the desire to connect with God is growing in me.  I even made time for a quiet time while I was on the cruise, but missed it the week of my return.  What’s really cool is God is not giving up on me, even though there have been times I’ve given up on Him.

So there you have it.  God can use the pain in our lives to grow us. Of course your mileage may vary.

I’ve been finding that things seem easier when these areas are in balance.  In other words when I’m not ignoring one or more areas during the course of a week, things seem to be easier.  For example, when I’m on my schedule for the gym it’s easier for the other things to happen.   When I’m not I find myself getting stressed.  Not from the fact that I’m not doing the things I set out to do (as there is always grace) but my ability to handle stress gets comprised.

I have to be in place where I’ll allow God to work in me.  I can be bullheaded (I am a Taurus) and just plow my way through,  or I can say okay God,  your will be done.  Where do I need to grow? 

Growth in one area can lead to growth in another area.  Starting to go to gym required a schedule shift for me.  Doing the schedule shift opened the door to have times to work on the spiritual stuff.  I was able schedule a quiet time and start going to the discipleship group.

God is there in the mist of the pain.

Isaiah 43:1-2

 

But now, this is what the Lord says—

    he who created you, Jacob,

    he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

 When you pass through the waters,

    I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

    they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

    you will not be burned;

    the flames will not set you ablaze.

 

Doesn’t say that God will keep you away from these things, but will bring you through.

So the next time you find yourself in something painful, ask God how he wants to use it to grow you.