What Are You Doing With Your Pain?

What are you doing with your pain?

The trials we go through in life, our hurts, our pain, and how we overcome - all become a part of our story, and that story is a gift to the world. What are you doing with your story? Many times we hide our stories because of shame. We think if anyone knows the truth of who we are, they won’t like us anymore, or even worse, they will judge and condemn us. I often still feel that way. Being open and vulnerable is terrifying. No one is perfect, and if you go around pretending you are, that is more of a put off than your actual flaws.

I had been going to group therapy for a few months, and the day finally came when I was to tell my story. Going into the session I thought, “Well, no one will like me after today.” I thought that when they knew my story, my flaws, shortcomings and sins, they would certainly reject me. Now keep in mind that I had already heard most of their stories and still had the utmost respect for each of them. I thought how brave they were to tell their stories in a group setting, and did not judge their flaws. However, I did not extend the same grace to myself. But they extended grace to me. Each group member held my story with love and kindness. In fact, after I shared, several of them said that they liked me more. When I asked how in the world that could be, their response was simple but poignant. “You’re real now.” Before I shared, they saw only the fake parts I wanted them to see. It takes a lot of energy to keep up a facade.

When my children left home it was difficult, even excruciating at times. I cried. A lot. It was a very challenging time in my life, but I made it through. I was very real about how I felt. I can now use what I have learned to help others. God tells us in II Corinthians 1:3 that the God of all comfort, comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves received from God.

That’s what life is about! Helping others overcome what we have already conquered!

Be real. Authenticity is powerful.