When I was twelve years old, some friends and I set out one Sunday afternoon on a bike ride. We ventured several miles from home. We came to a long, steep, dirt driveway. We sat in front of that monstrous hill and discussed how fun it would be ride down. My best friend and I decided to go for it.
We crossed the country road and walked our bicycles up that long hill. When we reached the top, we climbed on our bikes and sped downhill. Unfortunately, the brakes on my ten-speed didn’t work very well. Thankfully, no cars were coming as we flew across the country road. However, as we were still feeling the thrill of speed, a couple of dogs ran in front of us. Since I couldn’t stop, I swerved and crashed sideways onto my arm.
Later that evening, I was sporting the one and only cast I’ve ever had.
It only took that one painful experience to learn not to speed downhill on a bicycle without good brakes. My hands sweat now at even the thought of it.
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Today, I’m thankful for the painful experiences I’ve had in my life. Painful experiences serve a purpose when I allow them.
Pain, whether self-inflicted or caused by another, teaches me. It teaches me how to live.
When self-inflicted, I learn what to avoid to ensure I don’t experience the same pain again. For example, when I was in college, I drank way too much one night and was sick all night. I learned that if I wanted to avoid being sick from drinking, I shouldn’t drink so much.
When caused by another, I learn what actions hurt me, and I assume that those actions may hurt someone else. I learn that what causes me pain may cause someone else pain, so I try to avoid those actions. For example, I know what it feels to be called names and to be cussed out; therefore, I don’t want to be the one to cause someone else that same hurt.
More often than not, I have to learn and re-learn lessons because it’s easy to forget pain, or at least, the intensity of it.
On those occasions when pain is deep and lengthy, I learn there is One who will carry me through it, and will bring me out stronger on the other side.
While I certainly don’t like to experience pain, I’m thankful that when I do experience it, it serves a purpose.
It does serve a purpose but oh we sure don’t like it.