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The hurting heart beats as strongly as the heart at peace. Sometimes its inherent fervor actually increases its rate greatly. Diagnostic tools may prove oblivious to its pain. Whether the source of angst be physical or not, its effect is likely far reaching, involving thought processes and formerly deeply held convictions, such as faith.

Just as each person has a unique sensitivity and tolerance for pain, also individual is pain's product. It has been said that education "takes one from where he is to where he ought to be"; sensations of discomfort, especially when prolonged, take one from where he is to where no one would want to be.

Consequences are many. Besides varying degrees of agony, personality changes, prompted by the mystery enveloping the question of cause, frequently produce a drastic metamorphosis in identity.

Challenges to the strongest faith system ensue. Re-thinking the character of God and His relationship to man is inevitable.

"Have I done something to provoke his anger and punishment?"

"Since I know life has an end, is this a prelude to that passage?"

"Have I been foolish in accepting the idea that He loves me and only wants my good?"

"Is this some kind of test, the correct response to which determines my fate?"

"Is this the way life will be for me indefinitely?"

"Is this a learning experience, and if so, what is it I'm expected to learn?"

Truth is, no one has the final answer on suffering. We can, however, benefit from observing the experiences of others who have endured like situations over the centuries. From them we can safely infer:

The pang of torment is strictly an earthly experience, encountered by every mortal who has ever walked the planet.

With a belief in God's universal control of all circumstances, acceptance of his involvement in everything that happens to us, both pleasant and difficult, is inevitable. This is not to say that He sends pain as punishment or penance. But He, at the very least, allows those events to come into our lives which He knows will be ultimately benefiial.

The real challenge in the incident is to guard, at all cost, the connection to God Himself. The greater pain which was suffered by Christ, as well as Job, was the conviction of a separation from the Creator which the agony seem to evidence. To go down that road is spiritual suicide. No matter the burdens, we must cling to our possession of God's total love.

All of life's experiences affect change in us. Nowhere is that more evident than in the experience of suffering. But the very hope of Christianity is that change can, indeed must, be good.

Learn more about this author, Joy Rash.
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