We hear all the time, “I can’t handle the pain,” in many different contexts. H*eck, we say it ourselves, probably on a daily basis.
We deal with pain in three realms, those of which that are the most common places of topic. These places are physical, mental, and emotional. Working out (physical), stress (mental), and heartbreak (emotional) are some good examples of those three basic realms of life.
What do we hear over and over? “I can’t.”
Saying that phrase is simultaneously ignorant and profound. What? Let’s break that down:
“I”: you, the physical and spiritual embodiment of your being.
“can’t” (can not): the opposite of can
“can”: 1) to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to | 2) to know how to
So, brief version: if you really “can’t,” then why “can’t” you learn/acquire the ability or gain the skill required to? It’s a trick question, you can!
Philippians 4:13 says that “I CAN do ALL things through Christ, who strengthens me.” See how it says can, not can’t? “But I don’t believe the Bible, hah, what now Mr. mighty ‘I go to Liberty’ theologian???” I dunno. Stop whining. You can. If you can’t, then go fix it! Go learn how.
“I can’t run a mile” – go train!
“I can’t talk to boys” – go practice! we aren’t that hard to find!
“I can’t get over him” – have you tried?
“I can’t deal with the pain” – yes you can, you’re stronger than your pain, and more importantly, it does NOT define you.
I find myself feeling a bit hypocritical writing this, and some of you that know me may already have been thinking, “Gee what a hot shot Mr ‘I go to Liberty’ theologian Mikey has become,” but with some of these posts, as I write, I realize things about my own life that I’m needing to resolve.
I CAN do it. Not by my own strengths, but by God’s. You can too, I promise. It’s not about dealing with the pain, it’s about conquering it.
Q: So, when is pain too much?
A: Never. You can always conquer that mountain.
You may have to find an unconventional way around it, but it’s possible.
IMPORTANT: conquering does NOT always mean that it will get better or go away completely. Sometimes you have to accept the situation and LEARN to live with it.
(Emotional)
Being abandoned by a father is a pain I’ve learned to live with. It’s there but it does NOT define me.
(Physical)
Getting out of breath after jogging half a mile is something I’m training to conquer.
(Mental)
Constant anxiety and depression is something that, with God’s help, I finally was able to conquer.
The pain is NOT too much, go show that mountain who’s boss.
