Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: Playing through Pain

A sports adage is that you have to play through pain. Injury is one thing, but pain is different. Every player feels pain. The ones that endure can continue to perform, can play effectively, despite pain.

This adage applies to our seven-day practical faith walk. We have to play through pain.

I don't necessarily mean physical pain. And I don't mean that we simply put on a happy face.

All of us experience pain. Perhaps that pain is physical, hampering our movement, distracting us, setting us back. Perhaps that pain is emotional. Pain can manifest as sorrow, grief, shame, depression, addiction, lack of self-esteem or self-control, insecurity, sinful actions, rage, and so forth.

Yet in the midst of our pain, we are still called to be the people of God. Perhaps because of our pain, and how it informs our view of life and compassion for others, we can become more effective followers of Jesus.

Paul discovered this. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, he described the pain he endured as an apostle.

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Paul suffered for the sake of the Gospel. Jesus's pain of rejection, betrayal, and violent death brought deliverance for our sakes. Our suffering can bring a different kind of deliverance for others and for the world. We gain empathy and compassion for others. We shine as broken glass. We engage with a world of suffering as we suffer ourselves.

This day, as you walk in faith, I encourage you to play through the pain you're experiencing. That doesn't mean we simply ignore our pain. We block it out enough to move forward, but we use it for God's glory as well.

Build up your endurance and gain new insights by listening to the Practical Faith Academy podcast. Twice a month, I sit down with fellow Christians to learn how they put faith into practice. Find episodes on your favorite platforms by searching for Practical Faith Academy.