HURT is no respecter of persons. All ages and stages of people are attacked by hurt (from disease; broken bones; broken hearts; loss of loved ones; unfairness; loneliness, etc.). All ages may be heard to say: “I’m not ready for this;” “I asked for it—what I did was stupid;” “I didn’t do anything wrong, but look what happened;” I don’t understand any of this;” “I’ve tried everything I know, but I’m still hurting;” “This is killing me;” “I don’t think I can take any more!”
How are we to measure these matters and handle hurt when it attacks us? God is aware of this dilemma and has surely addressed it in His Word. He supplies varied answers and examples that can offer solutions for different individuals and situations. Hurt can be a learning experience. The Psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Thy Word...It is good for me that I was afflicted that I might learn Thy Statutes” (Psalm 119:67, 71).
Paul extended that learning experience into several situations when he stated: “I have learned in whatsoever state I am therein to be content” (Philippians 4:11-13). Paul knew some people hurt, being “in need,” while others are hurt by having more than they know how to handle (cf. Luke 12:16-21—the foolish rich man); some hurt because they eat or drink too much )cf. Proverbs 25:16), and some hurt because they eat or drink too little (anorexia—cf. John 4:31-34); some abound they think, and get into trouble— (cf. Revelation 3:14-17), and others hurt because of what they want (cf. Luke 15:11-17). Paul said that he had learned the secret for contentment in all those areas of hurt. He depended on Christ who “strengtheneth me” (v. 13AS). Note how Christ does that as given in I Peter 2:21-23 with John 13:17 and John 14:27. Those verses prove that happiness is a choice and peace comes from Christ!
Paul hurt because of a “thorn in the flesh,” praying to God repeatedly about it (II Corinthians 12:7-10). Then he learned through Christ that His Grace was sufficient, resulting in Paul writing the inspired fact, “Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak then I am strong.” When Paul was in prison—even when he had been beaten with rods (put together Acts 16:22-34 and Philippians 4:4-9, esp. v. 9) - he didn’t start a “pity-party,” or go into isolation. He continued to use that God-powered gospel, even converting the jailor!
Could Paul's example help you when you hurt??