The pattern of pain can teach us much. You see, pain comes with a paragon, and if followed closely, pain leads to passion to be used for greater purpose. Conversely, when we stray away from pain, we find ourselves closer to shame. And when in shame, we shut down or lash out. Shutting down leads to depression and lashing out leads to guilt projection.  Not the purpose of pain whatsoever.

Pain therefore, must be acquainted with and caressed, in order for the distress to subside and the quality to rise. It may take time, but if handled correctly, pain always makes sense in time.

Ask any mother. Ask any athlete.

There is a certain pattern that pain brings, and if paralleled and pushed through, then pain can be your guide to gain. Your road map to purpose.  It is the very place that must be understood the most in order to be utilized the best.

I want to encourage you to follow this paragon closely, like tracing a tablet that has preset grooves; and with every stroke along the ridge lines, know that you're going down the right path. And don't get distracted, because if you stay steady, you will discover purpose in this pattern.

In fact, you will encounter Christ-character through this process.  And when Christ’s character is birthed through your pain, you’ve been detached from the world’s conformity and attached to God’s purpose for your life accordingly.  And as a result, your biggest ministry will be synonymous with your biggest pain.

Precisely, pain is the reminder to keep tracing Jesus’ example.  And since He is the Paragon—the model of perfection—it’s crucial to allow His pull to be our push. The pull from heaven is to keep us pushing forward while on earth. Pain then, is the perfect reminder that heaven awaits us on the other side of this gulf.