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The Purpose of Pain Asking why? In The Culture of Pain, David B. Morris talks about how pain causes us to ponder its origin and meaning. He says, “Pain…is almost always the occasion for an encounter with meaning. It not only invites interpretation: like an insult or an outrageous act, it seems to require an explanation.” It is only natural and okay that we ask why? For years my reasoning was quite misguided. I figured the reason I had chronic pain was because I was a bad person. Somewhere I did something wrong in God’s eyes and I was being punished for it. This of course was not the case and this type of thinking offers no benefit and leads to greater pain and sorrow.

But we are well suited for pain, as we know pain from the moment of our birth. Think of what we felt as we traveled down our mother’s birth canal getting squeezed so tightly, then we gasp for our first breath. As we learn to walk we fall, but yet we always get back up.

The Purpose of Pain Viktor Frankl who lived through two Nazi concentration camps found meaning in his life even in the midst of deplorable circumstances. Finding meaning kept him alive. He tells us in Man’s Search for Meaning, “If there is meaning in life at all then there must be a meaning in suffering.” Like Dr. Frankl we too must find meaning within our circumstances. Having meaning opens the door for purpose to be realized in our lives. We must look at our lives and how they have transitioned while living with pain. How have we changed?

In The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren shares his understanding of pain by telling us, “God has a purpose behind every problem. He uses circumstances to develop our character.” It is fascinating to think that in every moment of every day there is an opportunity for growth. It is up to us to seize the opportunity. The Bible in James 2:4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” To me this says that pain is making me more complete person. I want to maximize my existence and get all out of life that I can. If pain is how I get there then I accept my task. On her web site Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross tells us, “There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” I believe she is telling us that it is no mistake that you and I have pain. It is no coincidence either. This is a great opportunity for us to learn from the miles of experience you and I have had from living with chronic pain. Og Mandino writes in The Greatest Miracle in the World, “When man is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood, he has gained facts, learns his ignorance, is cured of the insanity of conceit, has got moderation and real skill.” The amount of what we can learn from pain is only limited by your willingness to learn.

Rowe Jones’ Presentation for Invisible Illness Week

September 11-15, 2006

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My argument that pain has a purpose: If we are here on earth for a reason, and pain is a part of our lives, then pain is a part of our reason for being here. The purpose of pain defines life itself. Life without Pain We have all wished not to feel pain. Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis wrote The Misfortune of a World Without Pain in 1912 and explains how the world would be with no pain by saying, “Take pain and sorrow out of life, and the mother’s sympathy and sacrifice, the hero’s struggle, and the sage’s martyrdom would go, and the brightest stars be extinguished in life’s sky.” The world would be an unfamiliar place without pain. We would never learn a painful lesson. Our hearts would never be broken. We would never have a tough day at work. We would never learn something the hard way. A child could not be born and a person would never die. If there were no pain there would be no life nor death and life would be without worth or purpose as pain is a basis of life. The Benefit of Pain Dr. Hillis goes on to tell us, “Many hath sought out many discoveries, but he has never been able to invent an umbrella to keep off the troubles that sometimes rain from the sky. The very universality of troubles creates a presumption as to their divine economy. Whatever is universal must be beneficial.” Chronic pain affects 80 million Americans; it is universal, so there must be a benefit to pain. You have to be your own explorer to find out how your experience with pain benefits you. Just as each of us is different, so is our reason for pain. We can never give up this search, even if you have found answers, never give up the search. Pain has a way of adding clarity to our lives as David B. Morris writes, “We make sense of pain in much the same way that we make sense of the world. Sometimes pain can even reveal to us beliefs and values we did not know we held. When we are in pain, the most commonplace actions and events, such as going to the movies, taking a walk, or driving a car, suddenly seem like invaluable privileges that have been cruelly taken away. Pain can reorder priorities in a hurry. It can show us what truly matters.” The Steps to Finding the Purpose of Pain

1. Admit that everyone has pain. 2. Admit that pain is unavoidable. 3. Admit suffering can bring goodness. 4. Admit that everything happens for a reason. 5. Admit suffering brings us closer to God. 6. Admit that the benefit of pain comes only when we choose to see it.

I am inviting you to think about your pain in a new way, see it with purpose and reason. Pain has a purpose and the only way to discover that purpose is to live through the pain with a desire of self-discovery. If we had pain and it had no benefit life would be just an exercise. But life is more than an exercise and there is a benefit to having pain.

Your life that includes pain has great meaning and purpose. By realizing that pain has a purpose we begin to view our lives in a more positive light. When we have the understanding that our suffering is for a great reason then we can live more hope and peace within our lives.

Contact: rowe@happywithpain.com 407.898.6732 www.happywithpain.com

I hope that you find understanding for the pain you endure. May God bless you and comfort you!

© 2006 Rowe Jones