OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Persuing Pain
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By Gary Miller
For nearly 20 years I have been going to Missouri to hunt during the first week of November. My schedule has always been the same. Arrive one morning, hang a tree stand late that morning, and hunt that afternoon. I like for my first hunt to be in the afternoon so that everything is situated before climbing my stand in the dark, for the next morning hunt. When I’m there, I usually spend most hours of the day in a stand. So, comfort is essential. For years, however, comfort was essential only if it didn’t cost me anything. I used inexpensive climbing sticks and tree stands. But in reality, I paid dearly as I usually sat in pain and awkwardness the whole time. And there is nothing more miserable than doing what you love, in pain. I did that until I realized how my cheapness was ruining this incredible experience. I decided to save my money and get what I needed to hunt in comfort. Thank God for my Rivers Edge Big Foot Tree Ladder and my Millennium Monster Hang-On Tree Stand. I mention names not because I’m sponsored. I’m not. But because they are the comfort duo that I love. And what a difference an all-day stay makes now. I no longer dread the long days in the woods. Comfort costs. Sometimes, however, pain has greater benefits.
There’s a quote that has been front and center in my mind for the past year or so. It’s from Gary Brecka. He says, “Aging is the aggressive pursuit of comfort.” He says this not as comfort to be something pursued but as something to fight against as you grow older. The truth is, as we age, we are drawn to comfort – to ease. We have worked hard, and we want retirement. We have struggled, fought, and paid our dues. Now we just want to hunt in the mornings and play pickleball in the afternoon. And while it’s a worthwhile goal to be comfortable financially; health wise, comfort is a killer. Pain is power. Pain pushes muscle and mind and prevents atrophy of both. But pain also has spiritual benefits. First, it provides an opportunity for God to comfort us. Secondly, it provides the ministry God gifted us for. And thirdly it gives us the message God has for the people we are to minister to. Here’s how Paul described these three. “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinth 1:3-4 NLT) There you have it. The reason for our pain is so that we can be a comfort to others, as God has comforted us in our pain. So, you see, there is both purpose and power in our pain. In most things, embrace pain. It will keep you physically and spiritually young.
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■ Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Stay updated on Outdoor Truths each week by subscribing at Outdoortruths.org.
