by: Pastor Fred Herwaldt
3/1/2007

I just finished another chemo treatment. The start of each treatment is always a bit of an adventure as the nurse looks for a vein that can take the chemo and that she can find on the first try. In my experience, nurses are amazingly compassionate and try to minimize the pain any time they can. Today it took two tries. When the needle goes in and the vein is searched for, the pain is sharp and demanding. Just as I start to tense up, the pain is gone and there is either success or the need to try again.

It is a curious thing about pain: in the moment it seems to go on forever. Of course it doesn't. Some pains are longer than others, but there is always an end to pain. The problem is remembering that and putting pain in perspective. Pain does not have the final word, even chronic, brutal, or psychological pain.

St. Paul puts it like this: "For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18.

What a joy to believe! The pain will pass. The glory, deep, heavy, and without comparison will last forever. So, I need the eternal perspective. To see the truth. Sorrow, uncertainty, wounds, trauma, however brutal and seemingly unbearable must answer to the God of glory. And before Him, they are dumb.

You who are suffering today, do you know that you have the opportunity to live this truth? Your sorrow is the context to see the glory. You are in a position to point to what lasts and what is truly beautiful. May God strengthen you for all faith in believing His promise.

Rev. Fred Herwaldt is the pastor of the First Reformed Church of Lincoln Park, New Jersey.