For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me – Psalm 38:17

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 24, 2013): Psalm 38

I am convinced that we carry more pain around with us then we are ready to admit. And part of the problem is the individualistic message that we have received from our culture. We are taught that what it is to be an adult in our world means the ability to make our own way through the world – to not stand in need of anyone. As a boy, my culture has sent me messages like “big boys don’t cry” and about the expectation that the world has that we are to “be strong.” We look with great favor on the “self made man” that made his own way in the world. These images are continually reinforced until we begin to believe that this is who we are supposed to be – that this is the model of success. But I think that the model is a lie.

All of this results in us becoming more and more willing to cover up our pain. We know it is there, but if we can push it down deep enough – if we can cover the pain up with layers of other stuff – maybe then we can be independent and successful. Maybe then we can fulfill the models that we think we are supposed to be fulfilling. So when David writes that he is about to fall because his pain is always with him – we understand that. Sometimes we think we are the only ones in the whole world that really understand that.

But if we have really grown up, maybe it is time to leave behind the Junior High horror story behind us in which everyone else leads charmed lives and we are the only ones really in pain. There is a level of pain in each of our existences – we suffer with physical pain and mental pain and emotional pain. And, yes, some of us suffer more, but pain is also simply a part of the human existence. And our pain has no impact on our value no matter what the world might say to us.

And one of the most proactive ways of dealing with pain is to talk about it with each other. We need to recognize the pain in each other. Sometimes, simply mentioning it to other people can release the hold pain has on our lives. This is not an “I am in more pain than you” conversation (can we admit that just gets annoying?) But it is a conversation in which we recognize the pain and the value in the people all around us. When we believe that all of the pain belongs only to us, often the pain seems unbearable. But when we understand the pain that others are also suffering, we come to a better (and easier) understanding of life.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 39

Note: The VantagePoint Community Church (Edmonton) message "Father Forgive Them" from the series "Blood Sweat and Tears" is now available on the VantagePoint website - you can find it here.