Physical pain is a channel of grace,

but only for humble Christians — those experiencing sovereignty-awareness, thankful for everything just as it is, including the suffering of pain, believing that suffering produces perseverance, then character, then hope/faith/dependency. Jesus USES pain to woo us back to Himself from functioning as atheists. Impossible to be thankful for suffering unless freshly convicted of being wise in my own eyes, leaning on my own understanding, feeling ALONE and in CHARGE, as though there is no CreatorSustainer of the Universe. Same is true for emotional pain inflicted by other humans, or by circumstances. Only humble Christians are thank-ers for suffering. Because only the humble REALLY believe Jesus reigns sovereignly over everyone and everything, implementing His genius plan. Only the proud feel alone, in charge of our lives, confident-we-know-what’s-best, so we’re irritated or discouraged by any pain/hardship/suffering we experience.

All the people who love us best would vote for no pain, no suffering for us, but they only imagine they know what’s best for us. Only Jesus knows what’s best. And He loves us way-more than our best friends love us.

— Dave McCarty, GospelFriendships, knee-jerk proud man, except when freshly convicted of confidence-he-knows-bestTo receive my Tuesday posts, email me, or subscribe to my blog: dumbsheepdave.com