Topic Tuesday: Pain
“The Validity of Pain” (By: Maci Hughlett)
How do you judge suffering? What is the level of pain one must endure in order for it to be validated by others? We all know what pain looks and feels like on an extrinsic level – our world will not allow us to escape this reality.
Our personal worldviews and life-story experiences are the major players in the development of pain gauges. We all know what our “personal worst” is or could be – and if you have had an eating disorder like me, you’ve felt this unique low. Maybe you fear relapse, recovery, failure, loss, or illness. These are simply standard examples of common “worsts” people around the world have in likeness. But how does this pain align with others?
As we go throughout life we judge quickly what is petty pain compared to pain worthy of tear-induced shaking with physical pain and loss. But isn’t the pain of a dog from childhood passing away just as valid as the pain in recovering from a diagnosis of terror? I am not claiming these to be of equality but simply urging the world to see pain on an understanding spectrum instead of a judgment scale. Yes, one is “easier” to overcome – but a valid pain is still present.
Everything one feels towards pain, defeat, and loss is valid in its due season and time.
A broken bone will heal – and so will your body, mind, and soul with true recovery. You will be healed from this pain. What you feel is valid; what you experience is real. Though the gauge of others may not comprehend the depth of your hurt – it is not up to you to bring understanding to them from the pit. Others will understand your pain in the rising of your life once more. From the
strength it takes to standup, the world’s perspective of pain will adjust to include compassion for your journey.
The process is slow, the journey is long. But you are deeply, intimately loved in the midst of your trials; and beauty is rising out of ashes.
About the Author
Maci Hughlett is a girl on a mission. She loves Jesus, coffee, books, hiking, and sees everything as an adventure. Maci is studying at Johnson University with a double major in Bible & Theology and Human Services – Counseling. She is up for doing anything in life that will help people see the light and would love to use her testimony for the good of others. Maci is a Tennessee native, growing up in Knoxville and is always making trips up to Nashville to visit family. She has found recovery from a bulimia twice and plans to stand strong against any future temptation to fall into the food trap once more. Family, friends, and her local church have been such a blessing in her life, especially on the road of recovery and she cannot thank them enough. Blessings!
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