Sometimes when I vacuum, mop or sweep excessively, my back hurts. It doesn’t happen often (the pain, not the housework), but when it does I think of how nice it would be to have a maid.

While discussing this with my friend Judith, she said, “I want a maid named Joy. The Bible says that Joy comes in the morning and I want my maid to arrive early.”

I’m sure that there is an exercise that I could do to strengthen my lower back, and I really need to find out, but in the meantime I will continue to clean.

I enjoy the results of my efforts too much to dwell on any discomfort. Sometimes it’s worth it to just push past the pain.

There are many areas in life where the results are worth the effort.

It’s rarely easy to wake up early so that I can pray while the house is quiet. However, my day goes so much better on the mornings when I do.

Sometimes giving hurts. Pushing past my comfort zone to give of myself or my time is not always convenient, but the joy I feel when I yield to God far exceeds any inconvenience.

Life can also hold experiences that cause pain. The trials of life, rejection or disappointment often hurt.

When I experience these, I choose to consider them as growing pains. The hurt is real, but so is the growth.

If I ask God for the wisdom to make right choices, the endurance to continue to walk with Him and the strength to hold onto hope, I will grow and that maturity will be worth the pain.

Judith and I do not need maids, but she’s right about the Bible verse. Psalm 30:5 is what I need to remember when life hurts, “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.