"This chronic pain is building Christ-like character I couldn't get any other way."
How it sounds in your head: The Bible says suffering produces perseverance and character. I'm more patient now, more compassionate toward others in pain. Maybe this is how God is conforming me to Christ's image—through the fellowship of His sufferings.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."
-- Isaiah 53:5Source: Religion conflating tribulation/persecution that comes from the world with sickness, as if disease is a spiritual discipline from God.
He has grown in certain areas since sickness started, and Romans 5:3-4 talks about suffering producing character. The correlation feels like causation.
She suffered for twelve years, spent all her money on physicians who made her worse, grew worse not better. She touched Jesus' garment and IMMEDIATELY the fountain of her blood dried up and she felt in her body she was healed—twelve years of suffering ended in one moment, no process, instant healing.
I REFUSE the lie that my pain builds character Jesus can't build any other way. IT IS WRITTEN that HE was wounded so I could be healed—He took the suffering, I get the healing. Character comes from abiding in Christ, not enduring what He already bore. IT IS WRITTEN that by His stripes I WAS healed. I am Abraham's seed under the BARAK blessing. Twelve years of suffering ended in one touch of Jesus. I receive that same instant healing NOW. My character flows from the Vine, not from disease.
Your Father isn't keeping you in pain to shape you—He sent His Son to BE shaped by pain so you could be free. The father didn't make the prodigal stay in the pig pen to build character; he ran toward him with restoration. Receive it now.