Every Friday, I’ll post thought provoking discussion starters.
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What do you do with your pain?
James Robinson “Robbie” Risner was imprisoned in Hoa Lo Prison, known as the Hanoi Hilton to American POWs, for over seven years after he was shot down during the Vietnam war. He spent more than three years in solitary confinement during that time.
General Risner was very successful after he returned to America and active service. (He retired with the rank of Brigadier General in 1976.) He was also successful during his imprisonment, in that he didn’t succumb to the enemy’s tactics, he helped our other heroes imprisoned there, and he remained positive. How was this possible?
To quote the General, “Out of my pain, I made a plan.”
What are you doing with your pain?
It depends on what kind of pain. Emotional pain will drive me to my knees in prayer; physical pain will cause me to complain and whine and THEN draw me to my knees in prayer. Mental pain often drives me to food (still figuring this one out); spiritual pain drives me to food and down on my knees in prayer. Thanks for this question; I just learned a lot about myself! Thank you too for all you do. I first met you in 1997 in Washington DC. at the Christian Educators Conference. I am now living in Alaska and teaching in a public school here.
Laurie,
I’m honored you’ve been aware of me and Celebrate Kids this long and that you choose to be influenced by what I do. Thank you! I’m glad my question helped you think some things through.
Out of my pain, I now share what I have experienced with the hope that it will provide help and hope to others – to prevent what happened to me happening to someone else; to help those who have experienced similar pain or know someone who has and want to help them; and to give people hope that it is possible to overcome our pasts – acknowledging it was only because of God that I am alive and where I am today.
Deborah,
Thanks for your insights. If more people would choose to do what you’re doing I’m confident fewer would suffer at all and others would be able to walk through their pain more quickly. I’m grateful you’re sharing.
Kathy. love the question, I discovering my identity and purpose through my pain