KICKING UP DUST
I’ve had some pretty grueling workouts – I mean “we ain’t leavin’ till we’re heavin” type of workouts. Like doing heavy squats till physical failure, slamming the barbell back in the rack and jumping up and down from a deep squat position until we collapsed…
While those type of workouts and images in my mind are in a shrinking rear view mirror, I remember them all the same… The point at the time was to tear the muscles down and have the body repair the damage and increase in strength and size. That’s one of those goals that seem so worthy at the time, but leave you shaking your head in hindsight.
Everyone grasps the physical pain and suffering for the long-term good of our health and fitness is worthy, but yet we can’t relate to it on a spiritual level.
I remember the reality of being alone when I was the only one of my siblings not in school and the day we found Kitty Boo, my mom’s cat that got hit by a car, and she and I buried him – my tears falling in the hole I was digging… my heart breaking for her. I can’t forget my first funeral… my grandma on my dad’s side and the reaction of all the adults. Another pain was the loss of my dog Pee Wee after moving to the big city to start high school… man who was a hollow summer…
Like all heart breaks and pains, we graduate to bigger ones with time spent kicking up dust on this planet… my Dad’s graduation from this dimension to the heavenly one is far more emptying and painful than the crazy workouts. Although it can be compared in a small way to the hard workouts – tearing the muscle to the point of pain and soreness to let the muscle grow bigger and stronger – it’s similar to growing our spiritual heart. With each pain and heartbreak, God allows our hearts to be broken, beat up, fatigued, overused, battered, and yet we gain something; our hearts grow bigger and stronger.
How could we ever have sympathy, empathy, or compassion if we had no experience with pain? With painful experiences of real life God trains our hearts to run the marathon of life; but since our spiritual hearts are bigger, we have more understanding for the pains in life that others might be experiencing.
The winner of this marathon isn’t measured by who comes in first. It’s measured first on Who resides in our hearts, then on the love shared with all the other participants kicking up dust on the same course. We’ve all caused ourselves some grief and heart breaks, it’s part of learning, but I also think God allows some of those heart breaks in order to train our hearts to grow bigger, to expand so that we might have more compassion…
Just as physical pain can bring about health, maybe we should consider the benefits of our spiritual pain.
Have you gained anything from difficult times?
Hazel Moon
Saturday, June 1, 2013 @ 5:26 pm
You are certainly right when you say unless we have suffered or gone thoough something ourselves we cannot understand the pain of others. You have a big heart Floyd, and I hope the pain for you is in the rear view mirror.
Although my “Tell Me a True Story” site will not be open until monday evening, at: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/ Thank you for sharing it soon there.
Floyd
Sunday, June 2, 2013 @ 7:53 am
Thank you, Hazel. You have a wonderful and kind heart and I appreciate it. And I’m always honored to share with you and others at http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/
Barb Raveling
Saturday, June 1, 2013 @ 5:37 pm
You explained this perfectly, Floyd – that’s exactly what going to God with pain feels like – like a physical workout for the heart/soul. God sustains us, He comforts us, He builds us up, and He helps us grow. Incredibly painful, but there’s a sweetness to it as well.
Floyd
Sunday, June 2, 2013 @ 7:54 am
Thanks, Barb. It takes some wisdom to be able to see and know this hard truth. I so want the younger generation to learn it a whole lot sooner than I did. I know you know this wisdom and “sweetness” is a great way to describe it.
Barb Raveling
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 2:53 pm
I think a a lot of them are – at least I know several who are. It’s exciting.
Floyd
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 5:21 pm
I’ve seen them too, but the gap is widening. It feels eerily like a gap that can’t be navigated… and for us it can’t, but for God? He is the bridge and holds it all in His hand.
Effie-Alean Gross
Saturday, June 1, 2013 @ 6:37 pm
Floyd,
This is one of my favorite posts from you. What a blessing to be reminded about the benefits of emotional and spiritual pain. You touched my heart…the Spirit probed a tender spot, because I have experienced the pain of poor health, loss of loved ones, and the aging process (oy!). The Lord always heals; that’s the best part. Your writing is gaining strength. I see such beautiful words and thoughts from you. Thank you for a great post!
Floyd
Sunday, June 2, 2013 @ 7:57 am
I know you know spiritual pain, my friend, but I look to you as an example in how to live through it and lift others in the process. You do it with such amazing grace… I know that grace is from our Father and you wear it well. Thanks for the kind words, Effie.
Betty Draper
Sunday, June 2, 2013 @ 1:39 pm
You won with this post my brother. As the Marines say, no pain, no gain. I have had this conversation with many woman concerning the pain in their life. When they ask me the question will I ever get over it…and I say No…BUT like all painful things such as touching something hot when told it was hot, you learn from it, you become wiser, more careful and a scar will grow in place of the wound. There is much to learn from pain, God wants to tear down our earthly idea of what is strong and replace them with His, when are weak, He is strong Paul said, God gives divine wisdom and understanding when we are weak and willing to do things His way. Yes, it hurts but I have learned not to fear pain anymore, it a tool for God to use, an exercise for my faith.
Somewhere in the Word it say exercise profit little. But exercising self control, forgiveness, faith, cheerfulness, and all fruits of the Spirit will profit great things. No pain, no gain…guess I better pick up the weights of kindness. Great post.
Floyd
Sunday, June 2, 2013 @ 4:13 pm
It’s funny all the years climbing under ridiculous weight that verse written by Paul ran through my head, “For bodily exercise profiteth ye little…” It took longer for a stubborn soul to grasp that both types of pain can be fulfilling and even save us more serious trouble down the road. Well said, Betty, the scars live in place where innocence once lived… May God continue to use your ministry to bring wisdom and comfort to the other women and all of us, Betty. Thanks, sister.
Mia
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 12:14 am
Dear Floyd
Yes, dear bro, our Pappa refines us, but not as gold and silver are refined. He refines us through suffering to seperate the selfish flesh from our spirit. Once that is done, He fills us with Himself and then He can love others through us by filing our hearts with Himself! So we do get torn in another sort of way! Not nice while it happens, but so worthwhile.
Blessings and love.
Mia
Floyd
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 7:10 am
Amen, Mia. He can’t use us when our hearts are full of ourselves. It’s an ugly trait and easily recognizable in hindsight and the weakness of the flesh’s potential. Thanks, Mia.
Jillie
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 5:43 am
Excellent post again, Floyd. All truth. It is as you say–we often do not see the ‘upside’ of our painful circumstances as they’re happening, but somewhere down the road, we see the ‘spiritual gains’ through our rear-view mirror. More sympathy, more empathy, more more compassion, more love for those we know who are experiencing similar hardships in their lives. God wastes nothing in our lives!
I recall listening to Beth Moore teaching on this very thing. We receive a dreadful ‘wound’. We grieve the wound. We seek God more deeply for healing. In time, He heals the wound. Now, although it is healed over, it remains a ‘scar’ for all time. Take your ‘scars’ and reveal them to others who are suffering. Come alongside and help them to find the healing we have found in Christ. Our scars are never wasted if we are willing to bare them to others we love. Just look to the nail-pierced One–His scars can heal the world.
Floyd
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 7:15 am
Awesome take, Jillie. “Our scars are never wasted if we are willing to bare them to others we love.” And that’s how God works in us. I’ve heard Beth Moore, my wife does a Bible studies that uses her curriculum. That rear view is coming more and more into focus! Thanks, Jillie, very well said.
tcavey
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 12:51 pm
Amen!
I know the trials I’ve gone through have helped mold me into the person I am (all by the loving hands of God).
There were times I felt so alone, but looking back I can see the hand of God protecting and loving me…even when I was unlovable.
If people put as much effort into their spiritual lives as they do their physical the church wouldn’t have enough pews! My 2 cents anyway! 🙂
Floyd
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 5:15 pm
Your two cents are worth more than can be measured, because wisdom is worth more than treasure. I couldn’t agree more, and am guilty too often, about the pews being packed if we all had our priorities straight! Hindsight is a powerful tool for wisdom if we’re looking with the lenses of the right perspective. Thanks for adding that treasure, TC!
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 1:58 pm
I can say in all sincerity that I wouldn’t be here without the difficult times. There is a fruit of suffering that produces something so valuable in us. It can’t be ignored. Not only have I received strength and empathy toward others in the tough times, but I also get to explore more of who God is. He is the Comforter, the Healer, the One who binds up the brokenhearted. I get to experience Him in those ways and it’s beautiful. Thank you, Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 5:18 pm
Very well said, Jason. That is the heart of man with wisdom from difficult times, and you nailed it, the value we get in our struggles “can’t be ignored.” Not one of us can look back over our past struggles and find value in them. I’ve gained more in those time than I could ever gain in the easy times. And yet we avoid it like the plague… Wonderful perspective and a blessing of words, Jason. Thanks.
Rick Dawson
Monday, June 3, 2013 @ 7:08 pm
The only thing I wish of much of my past heartaches is that they hadn’t been self-inflicted wounds. Once again, Floyd, you cover painful ground with tenderness. Good work, bro!
Floyd
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 @ 6:49 am
Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger, Rick. (That’s got a nice ring to it.) I’ve done my fair share of “chasing the wind” as well. The giving into the weaknesses and lies of the world is an epidemic and it started in the Garden of Eden. Wisdom does come, thanks for sharing yours here. Thanks, Rick.
Jedidja
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 @ 1:12 am
Have I gained anything from difficult times? I guess that it makes me gentler. More patient. It’s hard to be in pain. It is almost impossible to give things out of my hands But I learn that the impossible becomes possible when I pour out my heart when I looks upon Jesus.
Your Dutch sister in Christ.
Floyd
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 @ 6:58 am
Well said, pouring out our hearts to our Father is the beginning of wisdom and peace. Great point. I too am gentler, less judgmental, gaining some wisdom the hard way, but gaining it none the less. Thanks for sharing, my Dutch sister! Glad you dropped by.
Dan Erickson
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 @ 5:58 am
Great post, Floyd. In 2001, I lost my first daughter, Angel Hope, at birth. I gained much. I learned how God heals. I learned how writing and music heals. I gained new friends. I gained a new outlook on the precious nature of this life. I’m learning to live more than I ever have. I went through a similar process when my dad passed three years ago on June 6. About a year after dad died I started writing books. Somehow I think there’s a connection.
Floyd
Tuesday, June 4, 2013 @ 7:03 am
There most certainly is a connection, Dan. I also think God uses these to heal not only us, but others as well, which really kind of drives home the point. Great call, Dan. We have much in common.. Thanks, Dan.
Nancy
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 @ 9:08 am
Awwww….. You and my husband would really get along well, I believe! He has many of the same memories and the same heart toward animals. His own father graduated far too soon…. Randy was by his bedside when two very large angels descended. Randy saw pillars of light descending on either side of him. Randy’s dad opened his eyes and stared intently, then said “Yes sir!” Three pillars of light ascended before Randy’s awstruck eyes. He misses him terribly as he was deprived of him for part of this young life and then got reacquainted in his early 20’s.
Yes, that sort of stuff is what like what I call, “ripping flesh”. That kind of pain was never God’s best. Yet he utilizes everything in this broken world to build us into warriors, if we allow Him to do so. This is so we can comfort others with the “comfort wherewith we have been comforted”. After all, He delivered us out of the pit of hell to harden us and send us back in to get others out!! Self-inflicted because of a lack of knowledge, or not, God knows how to raise us up! Great analogy in your piece!!!!! Thanks for sharing your BIG heart!
Floyd
Thursday, June 6, 2013 @ 7:38 am
Wow! That is an amazing summary, Nancy! Our pain has purpose! “He delivered us out of the pit of hell to harden us and send us back in to get others out!” You have a way with wisdom and truth, sister! That’s a great story of Randy and his dad. I always appreciate your take on things, Nancy. You are missed when you’re not around! Thanks.
Dan Black
Wednesday, June 5, 2013 @ 11:36 am
Great illustration. This reminds me of the passage in James 1 which said:
“2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
I know when going through difficult or hard times it will make us stronger. Great thoughts!
Floyd
Thursday, June 6, 2013 @ 7:44 am
Amen, Dan. That’s the perfect verse! It takes wisdom to be able to realize that all things have value, we just need to have the right perspective. Easier said than done! Thanks, Dan.
Joanne Norton
Thursday, June 6, 2013 @ 5:14 pm
Good thinking. I’ve known my Lord as my “heart protector”… both physically [He’s healed it miraculously more than twice]… emotionally and spiritually. He has given me a larger heart for Him and for others who need to know Him better. And, yes, as people die, such as my Mom and Dad, I might have a tear or two for a few seconds… but not much longer, b/c I’m so happy they are in heaven, they are “healed”, and life is now LIFE! Might react differently if it’s one of my kids or grandkids, but, mostly, I truly rejoice that they are with Him. [If my husband is gone before me, then the crying could come quickly and longly. HE is buried in my heart, because the Lord put him there; to take him out, I’d need serious healing again.]
I hope I can catch up with you, dear friend. But, I’m so buried in editing and rewriting and additionally writing [maybe another 75 pages or so that are on my mind, but never been place on the paper] and preparing for my month-long trip to the NW, and just can’t keep up on everything, everyone. But you are special and I don’t want to lose you. Coulda/shoulda just emailed you, but had time here and now, so you’re stuck with my sharing.
Blessings, J.
Floyd
Friday, June 7, 2013 @ 6:42 am
I always appreciate hearing from you, Joanne. I know you have a full load. I like that perspective on the other side. Thanks for sharing that wisdom, sister.
Patti
Thursday, June 6, 2013 @ 9:40 pm
Well said, Lloyd.
Floyd
Friday, June 7, 2013 @ 6:43 am
Thanks, Patty. It’s great to hear from you!
Patti
Thursday, June 6, 2013 @ 10:15 pm
Sorry…it’s been a long day. Let me try that again. Well said, FLOYD.
At this point, I’ll skip any Bible reference and just plead in my defense the line from the Wizard of Oz from the Scarecrow….”If I only had a brain!”
See you at the gym.
Loren Pinilis
Monday, June 10, 2013 @ 5:14 pm
I think that God definitely teaches us through the painful times. They are good gifts from him that are designed to make us look more like him. But the good times are too! So when I look around and I see that my life is relatively easy, I try to learn what I can from that as well.
Floyd
Tuesday, June 11, 2013 @ 8:46 am
That is true wisdom, Loren; to be able to learn and see the hand of God in the good times and bad. Excellent point. We all need to try to live that truth.