Pain and pleasure

“Nature has placed mankind under the governance of two sovereign masters, pain and pleasure,” said Jeremy Bentham, the founder of University College in London. And then he added, “It is for them alone to point out what we ought to do, as well as to determine what we shall do.”

We usually think of pain and pleasure in opposition to each other. We spurn pain and focus our lives on what brings pleasure. When the painful part of life’s equation swings the balance towards the ground, we feel disappointed, abandoned, and forsaken.

But pain is an unavoidable part of life. “Pain,” said C.S. Lewis, “is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” David would have agreed. Long ago he said, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word” (Psalm 119:67).

The reality is that life is a composite of both pain and pleasure. When a child comes into the world, both usually accompany his delivery – the pain of childbirth and the pleasure of his mother. How then should you handle the painful times in your life? Learn from the apostle Paul’s attitude towards pain and pleasure. “I know what it is to be in need,” wrote Paul to the Philippians, “and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12).

When the scale tilts heavily on the pain side, you can expect God will walk with you. He never promised to quickly tip the scale towards pleasure, giving you instant relief from whatever troubles you are experiencing. But he did promise His presence and we learn from Paul that because of this, we can be content.

What Paul learned, contentment, is the key to facing both good and bad times in your life.

Used with permission from Guidelines Philippines, Inc. To learn more about Guidelines and the ministry, please write to Box 4000, 1280 Makati City, Philippines or e-mail address [email protected]. You may also visit our website at www.guidelines.org.