How do you like your pain?

As we age, we’ll find ourselves asking this question a lot more: “Why does my [name body part] hurt?” And often we can no longer pinpoint a single event where we did the damage. Instead, it’s a mysterious ache or pinch we woke up with—and it won’t go away. Thus have I come to realize the inescapable truth that “life is pain.” But we can influence how and why we experience pain.

When we do rigorous exercise, it results in some breakdown of our muscle fibers and puts stress on our bones and tendons. If we’re not over-exercising, then those little “injuries” are actually good for us. Our bodies bounce back with stronger, more resilient muscles, denser and more durable bones, and so on. But there is pain involved! During the workout itself, we can count on some agony, and in the ensuing days we will find it hard to get around without discomfort.

Now, the key question facing all of us: “How do you like your pain?” You can have it from sitting too long in one position, from a loss in range of motion due to inactivity, or from simply stepping the wrong way. Or, you can take your pain in small doses (called workouts), and then feel the soreness of recovery, knowing that you’re really protecting yourself from future injury. From a psychological perspective, I want to do the latter.

I want to choose the pain that has a payoff. I want my pain to prepare my mind and body for life’s challenges and the work that God has for me.