Choosing to Feel Pain

Last night I watched part of a movie called the Easter Experience. In it, there was a very graphic depiction of Christ's scourging, walk down the Via Delarosa and death on the cross.

Horror filled, I watched and wondered why he just didn't make it so that he didn't feel anything. I understand that he had to die in order that we could be forgiven and have a relationship with God, but Jesus is God! He could have chosen to not feel the things that he was going through. Why would someone willingly choose to go through such intense physical pain and suffering, and then take on the emotional pain and sins of the world? Why? I can't even fathom why anyone would want to go through that!

I feel the same way when I'm having a rough day or going through some hard things and people ask what's going on. Even though they genuinely care and want to know, I have a difficult time telling them. Why?  Because I don't want them to hurt too. If I'm having a hard time and hurting inside, why should they know and hurt too?  What does that help?

Being able to understand. Encouraging. Love. That's why. Jesus chose to go through the pain so he'd be able to relate to us. When we're having a hard day, or something tragic happens, we can go to Jesus and he understands. He's been through it all. And he wants to comfort us and love us. He can encourage us to keep fighting and keep on going too because he knows how it feels. 

It's the same way with the people that care about us (to a smaller degree). They want to know and understand so they can be there and encourage you. Sure, they probably know that they might hurt a little by feeling someone else's pain, but they want to feel anyone. It's like we're told in Romans 12:15. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. 

http://freshsqueezedfamilyministry.wordpress.com/2013/09/13/love-is-week-2/

It's a choice to feel the pain. A choice that Jesus made so that he could relate to us. 

It's a choice that we can sometimes make to help others. To encourage them and let them know that they're not alone in what they're going through. 

~Moriah

Isaiah 41:13