The Bondage of Pain

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationsInLight.blogspot.com

This week’s meditative verse reacquaints us with the timeless truth that, “Pain wears an teacher’s crown.”  Those things that we will not learn from parents, wise teachers and advisors, and in the daily school of living, will oft be learned in the crucible of pain and suffering.  We have sometimes dubbed it, “The School of Hard Knocks.” 

Even Jesus, the Perfect One, was enrolled in this academy, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Hebrews 5:8-9)  Pain, when endured well, is indeed a sacred seminar in perfecting patient humility.  One wonders if Jesus had  this form of learning in mind when He told us to, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in Heaven is perfect. 

On our way to perfection, our rough corners are honed and polished by pain and misfortune day after day.  While not to be invited nor envied, neither should we be surprised by pain – it comes with the human condition.  When it does come to us in its many forms, does it teach us or just terrorize us?  Does it break us or make us…….stronger – more resilient.  Does it only persecute us, or does it purify us?

As you ponder these questions, I invite you to consider with me this week’s meditative verse, “The Bondage of Pain” at MeditationsInLight.blogspot.com.     

 The  Bondage  of  Pain

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

Book of Mormon   Mosiah 24:14-15

Life is a mixture of joy and pain

Elements of the plan of salvation

Where both freedom and bondage reign

Regardless of our creed, status, or station

Pain wears an exacting teacher’s crown

Where suffering and patience intertwine

And burdens of its bondage can break down

The strongest, best and noblest of mankind

The bondage of pain is oft alleviated

When it meets its remedial cure

But some pain goes unmitigated

And that pain we must endure

When our pain is not easily discharged

Our capacity to endure and survive

May be strengthened and enlarged

By Christ, in whom we can be alive

All are taught by the bondage of pain

A sacred seminar in patient humility

A required course, with credits to gain

Before graduation to Heavenly Tranquility

Larry Doyle Crenshaw