Daily Inspiration

The Valuable Function of Pain

Forgive, and you will see this differently.

²These are the words the Holy Spirit speaks in all your tribulations, all your pain, all suffering regardless of its form.

Shall we not learn to say these words when we are tempted to believe that pain is real, and death becomes our choice instead of life? ²Shall we not learn to say these words when we have understood their power to release all minds from bondage? ³These are words which give you power over all events that seem to have been given power over you.

How can you tell when you are seeing wrong, or someone else is failing to perceive the lesson he should learn? ²Does pain seem real in the perception? ³If it does, be sure the lesson is not learned. ⁴And there remains an unforgiveness hiding in the mind that sees the pain through eyes the mind directs.

God would not have you suffer thus. ²He would help you forgive yourself. ³His Son does not remember who he is. ⁴And God would have him not forget His Love, and all the gifts His Love brings with it. (A Course in Miracles, W-193.5:1-2;6:1-3;7:1–8:4. See also ACIM Lesson 193 Insights.)

There is no excuse for not recognizing when there is a need for forgiveness. We have been given a simple, very clear sign that tells us that we need to forgive. The presence of any form of pain is the key indicator: We need to forgive.

We don’t recognize every need to forgive only because we treasure the ego’s substitute for the oneness of God’s Love. But we can learn to distinguish the valuable from the valueless. God has given us His Teacher to help us learn this important lesson.

Pain has a valuable function in this world. Everyone has a point where their tolerance for pain reaches its limit. It brings us to a turning point where we are willing to accept the Holy Spirit’s help to forgive our mistaken perceptions. The misperceptions disappear with forgiveness, which removes barriers to Love’s presence. It makes way for the Light of Love to fill our mind, and we remember God’s Love is ours.

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