Pain Helps Us Jump Into God’s Lap

This is the first time I have written my blog since March of 2011. As most of you know, I underwent three surgeries 

in 2011. I also discovered that I have major cervical and lumbar spinal issues, which will someday need major surgery. I just got the OK today from my hand doctor to get back to normal activities, so I have decided to write once again.

I wake up, most days now, with pain. However, God created the human body to  withstand and adapt to tremendous amounts of pain. It is a resilient piece of work, fearfully and wonderfully made. http://christiananswers.net/q-aiia/god-pain.html

I am studying the Torah, this year, and I happened to read, the other day, that Abraham circumcised himself when he was 99 years old. Do not dwell too long on that image. And he did it with what we would surely view as crude tools. Ouch! (Sarah says, "Abraham, what are you doing in there?") Yet this painful procedure brought the Jewish people into covenant with God.
http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/4714-covenant

Today the action of circumcision takes place on our hearts. Is this as painful for you as the act of circumcision would have been in the physical form?  Has the pain created from the surgery God is performing on your heart causing you to draw closer to the Father or become more distant?

Julian of Norwich, an English mystic (1343-1413), actually prayed that God would wound her soul. At 30, she was on her death-bed when God revealed Himself to her. The pain she suffered brought her closer to God for the rest of her life, which would have never happened without this near-death experience.
http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/julian.htm

My personal pain has forced me to sit more often in Abba Father’s lap. It is amazing what comfort and encouragement that can bring. Let’s not work on getting rid of the pain in our lives, but use it to motivate us to climb into our Father’s lap where we can be taught and comforted. We can learn a lot from that vantage point!