Pain, With The Right Attitude, Can "Grow" Us

I have two unspoken prayer requests, and, perhaps because of these circumstances, I am repeating a poem I love and putting down a couple of other things here to encourage all who are hurting physically and/or emotionally. In the midst of pain, whatever the source, we must remember that God SO loves us and is right there with us to carry us through.

"I danced on Friday when the sky turned black
Oh, it's hard to dance with the devil on your back

They buried My body and they thought I'd gone
But I am the dance and the dance goes on
Dance, dance, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the dance, said He
And I will lead you all wherever you may be
I'll lead you all in the dance, said He."
-Sydney Carter-

"If I am in sickness,
my sickness may serve Him;
If I am in sorrow,
my sorrow may serve Him.
He does nothing in vain,
He knows what He is about." -John Henry Newman-

"The only cure for suffering is to face it head on, grasp it around the neck, and use it."     -Mary Craig-

"Pain is part of the process ... From the shedding of blood that initiates birth to the last gasp of astonishment in the face of death, we are encircled in suffering. The biography of a human being is also a history of anguish. The way one reacts to the suffering of life matters more, in creative and human terms, than the suffering itself. We become the people we are through the disadvantages and conflicts we prefer to more comfortable alternatives."   -Anthony T. Pabovano-

"When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When (not "if") you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight
and because I love you ...
Do not be afraid, for I am with you." -Isaiah 45:2, 4, 5 / the Bible-

"You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance." -Psalm 30:11 / the Bible-

(These are all taken from the little book: "You Gotta Keep Dancin' by: Tim Hansel)