Today, I will admit it. I am in pain, lots and lots of pain. This isn’t unusual or unexpected. Too much or too little activity, weather change, etc. It is a part of my life. But…..

It isn’t me. It is not my identity. It is not who I am. It is just one thing in my life.

In this world we are going to problems, sufferings, losses. God does not keep us from these. Paul writes in Romans what we are to do in the midst of these:

we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Jesus promises us this:

“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” — John 16:33 CSB

We can have peace, because of Jesus, not because of our situations, or our comfort. We are going to suffer, it’s a promise from our King. But how we manage that suffering, what we do with ourselves during that time of difficulty in our lives actually will grow us in Christ