I'm sharing my favorite poems this week, and I’m lovin’ it!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I'm such a big fan of great poetry. In fact, today is National Poet’s Day, so it’s appropriate that I pass on to you a favorite poem. And the one I'm sharing today is deep and I trust it’ll bless you if you are going through physical pain right now.
Pain for you may be physical, yes, like a botched surgery, a hip replacement gone bad, or a slipped disc. For me, pain is a chronic thing that started small at first, but now — oh boy, now — it’s no longer a temporary visitor; it has moved in to stay. And sometimes it feels scary. As I get older in this wheelchair, I realize that the pain may well get worse in the future.
So, what have I learned about this strange companion? Well, if you suffer from pain — even emotional pain — let me give you a word of advice. Only a daily, hourly, even moment-by-moment placing of your circumstances into God's everlasting arms will protect you from the ravages that accompany pain: you know, ravages like fear and anxiety. I have to constantly look to God's Word and even after I look up from God's Word, I have to remind myself of it: I remind myself God knows. He is in control. This pain is not outside His sovereign plan. This means I need not fear pain. In fact, the only thing the Bible tells me to fear is God — God Himself — when the Lord is our only fear, we will find that He will be a comforting sanctuary, he’ll be a shelter to protect us, an ever-present help in time of trouble. Plus, He will give us peace — deep down settled peace — the kind that takes the sting out of the very pain that drives us into His arms.
Something else I have learned from pain? It's this poem written by my friend, Margaret Clarkson. Margaret was a missionary; a dear saint who suffered greatly from chronic pain. I met her years ago at Ontario Bible College, and on the day that we had lunch together, bless her heart, the whole time she had to lie on a cot. In fact, that was her position for the entire Bible conference. And listen to what Margaret Clarkson wrote when she was in the worst of her pain. She says:
“Lord Jesus, King of pain, Thy subject I; Thy right it is to reign: Oh, hear my cry, And bid in me all longings cease, Save for Thy holy will's increase. Thy right it is to reign O'er all Thine own; Then, if Thy love send pain, Find there Thy throne, And help me bear it unto Thee, Who didst bear death and hell for me. Lord Jesus, king of pain, My heart's Adored, Teach me eternal gain, Is Love's reward: In Thee I hide me; hold me still, Till pain work all Thy perfect will.”
Oh, to have such a perspective on our physical discomforts; to be that submissive and that yielded to God when the crunch of pain encroaches. I have posted this poem called King of Pain on my radio page today at joniandfriends.org, so please, if it blessed you, take a minute to visit my radio page and download a copy — print it out and tack it somewhere you can often read these wise words by Margaret Clarkson. Finally, friend, there is but one who can enter into your pain — that is the Man of Sorrows who was acquainted with grief. His unending empathy and grace to sustain His love is the only thing that can ever swallow up every cry of the human heart. He understands and He promises to fellowship with you in the middle of every pain that you face, from this day forward. That’s why the Good News sounds so great!
© Joni and Friends
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