I threw my back out last week, resulting in pain and loss of function for a few days. Due to some parallel circumstances, I found myself thinking about the post below, which I wrote about 8 years ago after having ankle surgery. Its relevance is perennial; I find I need to meditate on it again…
Tag: pain
Laid into Suffering
In 1 Thessalonians 2:17 and 18, Paul remembers being forced to leave Thessalonica—their time cut short by a mob that attacked, abused, and jailed some of them (Acts 17:5-9). Paul talks affectionately of their desire to return but says satan hindered them. Acts 17:13-15 tells the full story: Paul and co. went to Berea after…
The Pain of Childbirth
After leaving Bethel, Rachel goes into labor. It is hard labor. She dies while birthing a son. Scripture says, “With her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni, but his father called him Benjamin” (Gen. 35:18). Ben-oni means, “Son of my sorrow,” while Benjamin means, “Son of my right hand.” This turn of names…
