A friend of mine who is a professor of theology made a statement that has continued to resonate with me. He said that sacrifice is a universal phenomenon. I have watched people in all fields of endeavour and found that those who made appreciable progress have made a great deal of sacrifice. There is something else that is a universal phenomenon – pain. I recently ministered at the 30th anniversary of Great Faith Church, Uyo, Nigeria. In attendance was a 90-year old who said he was praying that God would not prolong his life much longer. His reason is that he has known all the pains associated with old age. Either from delayed expectations, unfulfilled dreams, saboteurs from quarters known and unknown, pain will show up someday. 

…those who made appreciable progress have made a great deal of sacrifice…pain can be seen as nature’s announcer…simply telling you something needs attention.

Pain is indeed a thorny theological issue. Many wonder how God, with avowed love for mankind, will at the same time allow pain in life. Strange as it may sound, pain has its place in man’s affairs and destiny. God’s timing for some actions towards destiny may be announced by pain. Generally speaking, pain can be seen as nature’s announcer. When your toe hurts, it is simply telling you something needs attention. Pain could be a signal to spiritual timing. This is the point that our passage of Scripture is laying emphasis on. As a woman approaches her expected day of delivery, the pain she feels intensifies. The pain is not in any way destructive; it only prepares her towards a new life that is imminent. The way to cope is to always look beyond the inconvenience of the moment and believe that God is making something beautiful out of all we have to endure.