How many books have been written, how many sermons have been preached, how many different answers have been given in answer to the question–Why do I hurt? I certainly can’t answer that question which others have grappled with for years, but Paul gives us some insight in the book of II Corinthians–enough insight to calm the fears, doubts, and frustration just a tad perhaps.

He begins by stating this fact. II Corinthians 4:10: always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

The J. B. Phillips New Testament in Modern English reads like this: Yes, we who are living are always being exposed to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be plainly seen in our mortal lives.

There’s one facet of the answer: As we hurt, suffer, endure pain and allow Christ to control and handle that pain, others will become aware of the life of Jesus being lived out in the midst of our discomfort and will be encouraged. Paul’s circumstances were, to say the least, unpleasant, yet he says in Philippians 1:12, Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.

I’m confident that you have friends who have exemplified Jesus’ strength, His love, His confidence in the midst of a tragedy or serious illness. You go to “cheer them up” and you come away having been “cheered up!” That is possible only through the life of Christ being lived through that person.

We are being changed into His likeness, which is the primary purpose of living here on Planet Earth (Romans 8:28-29). II Cor. 4:16 (JBP) The outward man does indeed suffer wear and tear, but every day the inward man receives fresh strength. And just what is the inner man? The “new creature in Christ Jesus” (II Cor. 5:17). The “earthsuit”–the body that we live in here on earth–is wearing out, will get feeble, sick, and have all sorts of problems, but as we live with this “suffering” we come to know Him better.

Add to that 4:17: For [this] momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. Looking again at the Philips paraphrase: These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.

So one answer to the question, Why do I hurt?, is this: So that others will witness Christ facing this “hurt” for you and will ask, “I don’t understand how you can do this!” and we get to tell them about the One who is handling it for us–through us. Then, as the days go by and suffering comes to them they will come to you and say, “Tell me how I can let Jesus face this through me, please. I desperately need help.”

Once more: Mission Accomplished!