(1Peter 4:1&2 The Message) Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him.  Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.  Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.

As we get older there seems to be an unending parade of pain traveling through our bodies.  I woke up this morning with a sprained ankle.  It was fine when I went to bed.  Suffering pain seems to be inevitable.  However, we have a choice in how we deal with it.  Pain and suffering can cause us to draw into ourselves and wallow in the misery, but the above Scripture passage helps us to redirect our thinking.

 Self-centeredness is rooted in our sinful nature, but God can use our suffering to teaching us to be other-centered.  Looking outside of ourselves is always a challenge. When we’re in pain it is much more difficult.  Yet, I have recently found that focusing on others brings peace to my soul even in the midst of suffering.