Painless Harm

“Someone went out to the field to gather some herbs and found a wild vine. He picked some of its fruit, enough to fill up the fold of his robe. He came back, cut it up, and threw the slices into the stew pot, not knowing they were harmful.” (2 Kings 4:39 NET)

During the recent solar eclipse, there were many media reports warning people not to look at the eclipse directly. Even a few minutes of looking at the sun directly can cause eye damage. However, since there are no pain receptors on the retina, there is no pain to alert you to the harm.  

Pain can be a useful warning system. When we touch a burning stove, we pull our hands back immediately. If we get sick while eating a certain kind of dish at a restaurant, we learn to avoid it.  When we encounter someone who has caused injury in the past, we remember the agony and stay away from him.  But there are many instances when there is no immediate pain. This lulls us into a false sense of security.  We remain complacent, unaware of the harm.

Lord, thank you for the lessons of pain. Teach us to heed Your warning system. Grant us the wisdom to stay away from things that cause permanent damage.