They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Except for bears; they just kill you.
Humor aside, there is a profound truth to the first part of that statement. If you’ve ever had bone surgery or broken a bone, there is an unexpected rule most doctors will give you: do not take Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen. This sounds incredibly harsh when you are in severe pain. However, there is a vital biological reason for this restriction.
The first phase of bone healing actually requires acute inflammation to recruit stem cells and build new bone tissue. Whether a surgeon cuts a bone intentionally or an accident breaks it unexpectedly, the human body initiates an identical three-stage healing cascade: inflammation, bone production (callus formation), and bone remodeling. Because bones fundamentally need inflammation to knit back together, taking NSAIDs can actually impede and delay your healing.
None of us like pain. Whether it is physical or emotional, pain is deeply unpleasant. Inevitably, though, we will all encounter it. We experience trials that test our faith, sickness, loss, broken relationships, and crushing letdowns.
While our instinct is to bypass these dark valleys, they develop something vital within us. They build our internal strength and endurance. We need not forget that we grow near to God these times. As the Psalmist reminds us: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me (Psalm 23:4). And also The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18 NIV). We see that He is with us in the valley and close to us when we are brokenhearted. There is a nearness to God that comes through pain.
The Apostle Paul took this a step further, writing: We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope (Romans 5:3-4 ESV).
Just as a physical bone requires the friction of inflammation to rebuild its strength, we need to endure life’s hardships to forge our spiritual strength.
2 Timothy 2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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