16 October 2023

This week, I want to talk about how sometimes you have to just get through the pain, even if it seems unbearable, and also how you just have to dig deep and find the strength to endure anguish so you come out on the other side, even where it feels impossible.
Pain, both physical and emotional, is something that each one of us will inevitably face in our lives in many different situations. It is an undeniable part of human experience, one that cannot be avoided or ignored. But how do we navigate through unbearable pain?
In a world that constantly seeks quick fixes or instant gratification, the idea of enduring pain seems counterintuitive. We always want immediate relief, a simple solution to make the pain disappear. However, pain is always a necessary part of growth and healing.
When faced with pain, our instinct is to usually try and run away from it, to find distractions or other means of escape that temporarily alleviate discomfort. But by doing this, we only delay the inevitable, as pain lingers and silently grows stronger, until it demands our attention again.
So, as difficult as it is, we just have to face pain head-on and experience it, so that we are then not afraid of it, or it becomes bigger. It is also only by confronting pain and going through struggles that we transform and grow, or develop resilience and strength.
Pain also teaches us valuable lessons about ourselves and the world. It opens our eyes to the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing moments of joy and happiness. Pain also forces us to confront our deepest fears and limitations, to find the courage to overcome them.
But getting through pain is not an easy task. It requires immense strength and determination. There will always be moments when we feel like giving up, when the weight of suffering feels just too heavy to bear. There is also no shortcut to healing.
But it is precisely during those moments that we must hold on, remind ourselves that pain is temporary and remember the light at the end of the tunnel. There may even be valuable lessons to learn from going through pain, such as appreciating life’s joys, or confronting fears or vulnerabilities.
Finally, please remember that everyone’s pain is unique, that different individuals may need different types of support and that pain can even sometimes be unnecessary or avoidable. But also realise that pain is usually a badge of honour and testament to the depths of our humanity.
So, this week, remember that when we get through pain, we always emerge stronger and wiser. Though we carry scars of experiences, these are reminders of battles fought and resilience we possess. We must also keep hope, both for ourselves and to give to others facing difficult times.




