Good Hurt or Bad Hurt?

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. - 1 Peter 4:11

What a week it has been thus far. I have felt a spiritual closeness this week like never before. Although I know I cannot continue a fast indefinitely, I yearn to continue my daily journey with the father.

In a conversion the other day a concept emerged that I think best describes my current spiritual state. Have you ever received a massage that caused you to wince when the sore muscle was touched? A saying often emerges- was it a "good" hurt or a "bad" hurt? What a peculiar idiom. Isn't all hurt bad? No, there is a pain which when deeply applied brings about immediate relief. I guess when we are not open to God's work in our lives we cannot allow him to get in deep and work in the recesses. I can attest that letting go of your inner most self can be a painful yet harmonious experience. For too many years have I resisting his call and oftentimes end up with a lot of, well, "bad" hurt.