The Silver Lining of Pain
Pain is an integral part of life. Let me go one step further. Pain exists by design. How can that be, you may ask. After all, that implies a certain callousness or even cruelty by our Creator. Until you consider that suffering reminds us not to take life for granted. What if pain exists so that we evolve into better versions of ourselves?
When challenging events confront us in our lives, we typically weigh only the agony we feel in the moment and not the lesson or the opportunity for growth. It’s almost impossible to feel gratitude when mourning the loss of a loved one or grappling with the aftermath of any traumatic experience. Naturally, we focus on our misfortune and rail against the injustice that life so often delivers to our doorstep.
Reflecting on the most distressing events of my life, I’ve realized that they’ve shaped the woman I am today. I developed skill sets to cope and emerge stronger with each new challenge. When my sister passed away unexpectedly, I couldn’t see past the overwhelming grief and anger I felt at the unfairness of her death. Instinctively, I raised a shield, cocooning myself against the further onslaught of pain instead of processing it. After embarking upon a path of healing years later, I finally stepped back from my pain and learned to shift my perspective to one of gratitude. Instead of focusing on the loss, I started to appreciate the time I had with her and the eternal gift of love she’d given me. Though the ache of her absence will always remain, I’ve chosen to celebrate her time on this earth and honor her memory by embracing life instead of fearing it.
Without pain, we would move through life blindly, taking everything for granted. Life would stagnate. We wouldn’t be able to distinguish our blessings or cultivate gratitude. It is through the harrowing experiences that we truly grow and develop as human beings. Pain tests our inner strength and our faith. It calls forth the courage and fortitude that builds our character and teaches us resilience.
Though we may not recognize the lessons we’re meant to learn in life instantly, when we’re able to distance ourselves from the distress we feel and reflect, the bigger picture materializes. Often, it’s only after weathering hardship that we arrive at our true purpose. Only when we accept pain as a natural part of our journey and learn to use it as fuel will we truly appreciate the gift of life and learn to live it fully.
