The “Comforter” Is There In Our Pain
In preparation for the season of Pentecost which begins Pentecost Sunday, May 11.
We live in an “instant” world. We have access to a wealth of information at our fingertips on the internet. We have fast foods, media stimulation, fast travel, pain medications for both physical and mental issues, programs, herbs that guarantee almost eternal life, and pleasure and entertainment that has never been more accessible. Continued development in the technological world could promise “designer babies” and lead to an extension of life on earth beyond a hundred years in increased numbers. No pain is gain!
It seems that pain and difficulties are considered the enemy of our world. I don’t know too many people who sign up for “Pain Anonymous” because they are addicted to pain. Most of us would rather do away with pain all together.
Pain is not always negative. Waiting, going without on occasion, is not always a bad thing. Neither does getting our way and wants always bring happiness. Pain can be a signal that something is amiss. When I miss the nail and hit my thumb the physical pain communicates that it is better to hit the nail on the head then my thumb. Pain at times is a gift and can lead to change and healing.
We can experience the pain of guilt, remorse, anger, hurt in our psychological and spiritual development. We should not run our lives on feelings. Likewise we should not ignore them, They are neurotransmitters of information as to how things are going inside us. Our opinions and feelings may not always be correct so we need to parent them by accountable relationships, scripture, prayer and an awareness of our susceptibility to error on the side of self protection.
You may say “If only The Lord could enter our painful world.” He, of course, can and does. The Comforter” (the Holy Spirit) was sent to the church to come “along side” our lives in Christ right where we live. This means His goal is not to teach us to deny, or overplay our sufferings, feelings, but to rely on Him to teach us the Lord’s perspective to the glory of God. The Holy Spirit does not bypass our pain, but brings His presence to comfort, heal. provide power and wisdom to us, in our sometimes difficult journeys of faith. The Holy Spirit still makes “heart” calls.
In this season of the Church year we celebrate Pentecost, the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit (The Comforter) to the Church. During this Pentecost season, as a community in Christ, we study and renew our understanding of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. Let’s read Romans 8:26 (Amplified) ” So the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for words.“ Notice the emotions, the personal pronouns and the passion of the Holy Spirit on our behalf described in the verse. Let our prayer this church season be to Holy Spirit as follows:
“ Come Holy Spirit ! Oh Breathe of God, renew, refresh, fill, heal, come in and fully engage all my pain and all my life !! Glory be to The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. Amen!!
In the Love and Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Mark+
The Reverend Father Mark Miller is rector of Church of the Resurrection CEC in Hemut, California.
