The words spoken by Job reflect a heart that was struggling with despair. He was questioning why was he born. Why wasn't he stillborn? As I reflected on these words I remarked on how similar they are to any of our reactions to pain in our lives.
Then I began to generalize a bit. Think about it. People who struggle with pain want to escape that pain. There is nothing worse than persistent pain, a pain to which you cannot find a way to manage, that seeps into your day and crushes the will. You struggle to push on and you put up the defenses of determination. However, slowly despair will creep in through the cracks.
Despair is the ugly twin of pain, and I acknowledge its presence. However, I take steps to limit its power. I reach out to others and try to help others rather than just focus on my own problems. I continually remind myself that it is God who is sovereign and in control and that He has a purpose and a plan for my life and yes, a purpose and a plan for the migraines, although I do not have a full understanding of this at this time.
So for others facing pain, or despair, first acknowledge its presence. It is there, don't deny it. Second, take steps to limit its power. Look beyond your own circumstance and how you can use your circumstance to help others.
