Day One Hundred and Forty Six - Not Without Pain

You know what's not easy? Growing. 

And I'm mildly frustrated with people who are somehow convinced that it ought to be. Growing is not easy, changing is not easy, learning is not easy, becoming the person you want to be is not easy. Forward motion never happens on accident. It happens with work and determination and frankly, a high probability of pain.

You know what hurts? Facing your demons. Looking them dead in the eye as they spew out their hatred and temptations and telling them off. It's possible, it's beneficial, but it is not without pain. 

You know what else hurts? Learning the guitar. Mother trucker I can hardly type because my fingers are so raw. But it feels excellent. I have ALWAYS wanted to play guitar and I'm finally dedicating the time and energy into learning it. That and God has provided a rather kick ass instructor. 

You know what else hurts? Looking at your true self in the mirror, facing your faults, acknowledging your strengths, and figuring out who it is you want to be. You know what hurts worse? Becoming that person through determination, perseverance, and pain.

You know what does't make the pain go away? God. You know why? Because pain isn't always bad. The pain in my fingers isn't bad, it's a sign of growth and learning in ways my body isn't used to. The initial emotional pain of facing your demons and defeating them isn't bad, it's a sign of strength and results in newfound dignity. The pain of stretching yourself, being honest with yourself, outgrowing the childishness and becoming the adult, the pain of acknowledged failure and the growth of fighting through it, is all good, healthy pain. So no, God doesn't make it painless. That kind of pain is a blessing, it is a gift. It is proof of change, proof of growth, proof of success. 

Instead of running from pain, push through it. It won't hurt forever, I promise. Pain is always followed by strength. Push through it into who you were made to be, who you want to be, doing what you want to do. Don't be bullied by ease and comfort; don't let either one dictate your life. 

And most importantly, don't assume that because it hurts it isn't God's will or that God isn't with you in it. Growth is usually a sign of God's presence, ease and comfort are not. Growth isn't easy or painless, but it is worth it. And He will help you. But He will never make it painless.