The other day, my daughter had to receive some injections. I watched as the syringe went through her buttocks. She kept shouting, “Daddy! Daddy!! Daddy!!!” I was so moved with emotion that I was contemplating “delivering” her from the pain. But I reasoned that she needed that pain to be fine health wise.

Friend, pain is a necessary part of life. But the kind of pain you choose and the way you handle your pain would determine what you get out of it. Basically, there are two kinds of pain; the pain of progress and the pain of problem, the pain of success and the pain of failure. If you reject the pain of success, you have automatically signed up for the pain of failure.

The pain of progress is that pain or discomfort that we go through in order to make progress in life or achieve a desired result. The truth is, success, wholeness, progress etc., all come at a cost. Failure also comes at a cost. Going through the pain of progress means that you would pay the price to make progress. The good news is that the joy of success would soon override the pain.

“I came to start a fire on earth. I would be happy if that fire were already burning. I have a baptism of pain to receive. I cannot rest until this has happened” (Luke 12:49-50). Jesus understood what making progress and fulfilling purpose would demand; He called it a “baptism”. He also asked the sons of Zebedee if they were willing to embrace the baptism of pain for the greatness they desired (Matthew 20:20-23).

“Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). There is a pain you would go though when God is dealing with you. This pain is however temporary as it is meant to produce peaceful fruit of righteousness. The Psalmist saw the end result of correction so he welcomed it gladly (Psalms 141:5).

“…Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (John 15:2). Pruning is not an exciting process; it’s a painful one. When God is “chopping off” some things in your life; asking you to stop some habits, behaviours etc., it can be very painful. But this is what would guarantee a life of unending progress. Embrace the pain of progress so you won’t be a victim of the pain of problem. You will succeed. Amen.

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria