THE PARADOX OF PAIN

by HELEN STEINER RICE



PARADOXICAL THOUGH IT IS, THERE IS NOTHING IN
LIFE WORTHWHILE THAT IS NOT ATTAINED
THROUGH SUFFERING AND CONFLICT.
BUT SUFFERING AND SORROW ARE NOT
TOO GREAT A PRICE TO PAY FOR THE
ENRICHING PRIVILEGE OF TOUCHING OTHER LIVES
WITH MORE COMPASSION AND DEEPER
UNDERSTANDING. AND ALL THE SWEETEST
THINGS IN LIFE COME TO US ON THE
"WINGS OF PAIN AND TEARS," GIVING US A NEW AWARENESS
OF GOD'S GREATNESS, HIS GOODNESS, AND HIS GRACE!
I KNOW FOR "CERTAIN-SURE" THAT MY TRIALS
AND TRIBULATIONS HAVE TRANSFORMED MY
LIFE COMPLETELY, AND I AM SATISFIED THAT MY
"AFFLICTIONS" ARE TRUELY "GIFTS SENT IN DISGUISE,"
WHICH SOMETIMES WE FAIL TO RECOGNIZE.







HE LED THEM ON A ROAD THAT WENT
STRAIGHT TO AN INHABITED CITY.



PSALM 107:7
GOD'S WORD



HE LED ME TO A PLACE OF SAFETY;
HE RESCUED ME BECAUSE HE DELIGHTS IN ME.



PSALM 18:19
NLT



FOR THOU ART MY ROCK AND MY FORTRESS;
THEREFORE FOR THY NAMES SAKE LEAD ME,
AND GUIDE ME.



PSALM 31:3
KJV



NOW TEACH ME GOOD JUDGMENT AS WELL
AS KNOWLEDGE. FOR YOUR LAWS ARE MY GUIDE.



PSALM 119:66
TLB



LEAD ME IN YOUR TRUTH, AND TEACH ME,
FOR YOU ARE THE GOD OF MY SALVATION;
FOR YOU I WAIT ALL DAY LONG.



PSALM 25:5
NRSV