Only but for a short while

“Push, puuush, come on, push, just one more” these are the words you hear at the labor ward as a woman goes into labor to birth a new life into the world. After going through nine months of discomfort, nausea and sometimes pain, then comes the moment of truth; the time when her water breaks and she goes into contractions and then labor. Throughout these trying moments there is only one thought in the mind of the would be mother; the first cry and the feel of her baby in her arms. She focuses so intently on this vision that even the nausea of pregnancy and the pain of labor do not diminish her desire for children. She realizes that, the pain and discomfort is but for only a short while, the joy that comes after is forever. It does not mean she disregards or takes the pain for granted, not at all. It just means she keeps her mind on the goal and that gives her enough strength to go through the process.

When you go to a gym or aerobics center, most of the time you will see an inscription that says “no pain, no gain”. You would think this is a put off or a discouragement but in reality it is actually a word of inspiration. Without the tenacity to endure the pain of the process, there is no way you can enjoy the gain and joy of the results. So the most critical moments for any proper commitment to a gym membership or an exercise regimen are the first few weeks of warm up. The moment when pain sets in and all muscles are filled with lactic acid. The time when even a basic movement like sitting or laughing becomes a headache. This is when the importance of that inscription is noticed. Will you bear the pain and receive the gain, or will you quit and stay out of shape? Gym instructors and experienced people will tell you that, the pain is but for only a short while, but the results of well sculpted muscles, a healthy heart and a refreshed mind are forever. 

"Will you bear the pain and receive the gain, or will you quit and stay out of shape?"

Anyone who runs, jogs or walks several kilometers in the mornings or evenings knows there is a point where the body threatens to give out in pain or crumble from fatigue in the first few minutes of the exercise. This is the most critical point. This is where the body either learns to break the pain barrier of stamina or falls back to its old routine. This is where every jogger grits his/her teeth and bears the pain. Interestingly, after the momentary shot of severe pain through the body, the heart regains its steady beat and the body goes into extra drive. Here it becomes simply exhilarating to continue the walk or jog. This can only happen if the jogger does not stop but endures the pain and discomfort that eventually produces stamina and tenacity.

Many times we are faced with these choices in our lives.

 The pain of learning a new skill, the stress of studying into the night for an impending examination or even the discipline of working out to lose weight and become fit. It could also be living an austere life in order to save for a property or even cutting back on sweets and electronic gadgets in order to start an investment.  All these acts come with strain, stress, unease, fatigue and sometimes pain. However if we are able to go through them, we realize that the results or rewards of our efforts are worth so much more than the momentary discomfort we had to endure in the beginning.

" All these acts come with strain, stress, unease, fatigue and sometimes pain."

The Bible talks about this same issue in Hebrews 12:2 and this is the Basic English Translation; “Having our eyes fixed on Jesus, the guide and end of our faith, who went through the pains of the cross, not caring for the shame, because of the joy which was before him, and who has now taken his place at the right hand of God's seat of power”.

What are you going through right now? Are you contemplating quitting because the process looks tedious, daunting or even painful? Do what Christ did. Set your eyes on the glory at the end. Focus on the joy of the results and let that vision carry you through. Remember, pain is only for a short while, the joy that comes after, is for ever.