The School of Pain

I used to love the book 'What Katy did' when I was young. I was fascinated with how she learnt to deal with her suffering. She coped by believing God had placed her in the School of Pain to study and learn important lessons which would help her grow into the person God wanted her to be. Pain is a tough teacher and no student wants to learn from him, but the only way to graduate is by embracing and accepting where you are and learning the lessons you need to learn. There is no way to speed up the learning process, or grow without feeling the pain... yes, unfortunately there is no escape. God never places His children in the School of Pain without a good reason though. He knows what He's doing and He never sends our way more than we can bear.

This makes me think of the passage in Hebrews 12: 5b-13.   

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,  and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as   his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?  If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

I hope others find hope today by realizing that the trials we go through do have a purpose. And that the school of pain though unpleasant at the time does produce good fruit. It not only helps us to depend more on the Master, but teaches us how to walk more faithfully in His steps. I've been struggling and failing my classes in the school of pain lately, but I know my Saviour will give me the strength to keep going and learn these important lessons. Once my days on earth are over, I hope to look back and see the big picture and see how it all worked out for good. 

Lyrics from "Already there" by Casting Crowns


Lord it's so hard for me to see
Where this is going
And where You're leading me
I wish I knew how
All my fears and all my questions
Are gonna play out
In a world I can't control

When I'm lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You're already there
You're already there

From where You're standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed me into life
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan

When I'm lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You're already there
You're already there

One day I'll stand before You
And look back on the life I've lived
I can't wait to enjoy the view
And see how all the pieces fit....