Pain is not usually something we would describe as ‘good’. Those who live with chronic physical pain long for some kind of relief, answer or cure for the underlying problem. Revelation 21:4 says that in the new heaven and earth, there will be no more “death or mourning or crying or pain.” So pain and suffering are not what God desires for us in the long run, and He promises His people they will be free of it in eternity.

But during this life, pain still has a purpose. For example, physical pain acts as part of the body’s warning system, telling us that there is some issue that needs attending to. Also, general suffering in life can remind us that we live in a broken world, and can drive us to God, who is the only One who can fix it.

In this week’s reading from Acts 2, we see another kind of pain. Peter was proclaiming the good news of salvation to his fellow Israelites, explaining to them that Jesus, whom they had crucified, had risen from the dead. This proved that He was indeed the promised Saviour. Those who heard this message were “cut to the heart…” In other words, the gospel had touched a nerve. They were convicted of their sin, and the fact that they were accountable to God, the righteous Judge. The truth about ourselves might hurt, but it is only in acknowledging it that we can receive the cure.

If you have similarly been “cut to the heart” in response to God’s Word, there is hope for you. There is full and free forgiveness available through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died so that you might live forever in God’s presence. Simply acknowledge that you are a sinner and put your faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour. No matter what your story is, He loves you, and is able to transform the painful truth of your heart’s condition into the sweet joy and assurance of salvation.