Ouch...That Hurt.

Monday evenings I assist a children's acting class. Those three hours spent with the kids are some of my favorite hours throughout the week. THEY, yes I said it...THEY teach ME so much. I love watching them from afar to see how their personalities carry them from one conversation to another. Another thing I learn from them is how to brush things off. Kids are constantly getting hurt or into trouble. Sure, they cry or scream, but come on...that literally only lasts a few minutes until someone loving comes along to assure them that their boo-boo will be okay. Then before you know it, they are back to giggling and loving every second they get. 

While playing a warm-up game with them yesterday, I cut my arm on an object. It was on the inner side of my right arm, at the crease of my elbow. Every time I moved my elbow, I could feel a pinch or a stretch. Not to mention, it was bleeding...and I don't do well with blood. 

Everyone experiences pain. Whether it be physical or emotional pain, it is still pain...and it always hurts us. 

When you ask men what they think of when they hear the word pain, most of them say something along the lines of an injury or some sort of physical pain. 

When you as ladies what they think of when they hear the word pain, most of them say something along the lines of a broken heart or some sort of emotional pain. 

Most people know this line from the song 'Stronger' by Kelly Clarkson:

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

I also agree that pain is put in our life for a reason. However, how we handle the pain is going to be the outcome. That 'reason' may not come to pass. 

Some people take pain on so horribly, that they cycle into depression or even hurt others. When I was going through a hard time a year or so ago, my mom told me a really good line that I have forever held in my heart...

Hurting people, hurt people. 

You might be in a situation where you are in so much emotional pain because someone has verbally or emotionally abused you, that it just tears you apart. You feel that you have no other way to respond to the pain but to be angry with those closest to you. Then they get hurt and the cycle continues. 

As much as we all struggle with pain, God doesn't want us to be upset, angry, or hurt. Yes, pain is apart of life. However, it is there to show us what really matters and to grow from it. 

I have dealt with my share of physical pain and emotional pain. From being almost paralyzed with my back to stressing my tendons in my foot and being on crutches to having those closest to me breaking my heart and tearing me down with their words. 

Pain isn't easy to deal with and I don't think it should be. If it was easy to deal with, nobody would grow from their experiences and be able to help others in need. 

How do I deal with pain? 

I am not one to talk to aloud to someone about my pain. (I know....that looks like a red flag!) I prefer to write about it. I love that because then when pain hits me later on, I can turn back to my old pain and see how much stronger I have become since then. I also enjoy writing my pain into songs. However, my favorite way to handle pain...

I turn to my Lord and Savior. The one who took on the worst pain so that I could have my life! When I think about all that Jesus went through before and as He was being hung on the Cross, that honestly makes all my pain disappear. Because I can't even IMAGINE how much that beating physically hurt Him. However, He did it because He loves me...and to me, that makes me so grateful for my life and makes me realize that my hurt is just a stepping stone in what my life will beautifully unfold to.

Whether it's a scratch on your arm or seeing your ex with someone new, we all experience wounds. It's just how we choose to heal them that makes all the difference. 

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.