Mary had some initial reservations when an angel told her she would give birth to the Son of the Most High (Luke 1:26-34). But she soon surrendered her will to God’s and accepted the assignment given to her (Luke 1:38).

Soon after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. There they met a righteous man named Simeon, who predicted great things for Jesus (Luke 2:21-35). Almost as an afterthought, Simeon had a prediction for Mary too—“…And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:34-35).

The birth of this newborn baby brought mixed blessings. Along with the joy and celebration came the promise of pain.

Mary’s soul would feel no greater pain than it did at Calvary. She was there at the cross when her beloved firstborn son died a torturous death. Simeon’s prediction had come true.

Would Mary have accepted God’s assignment if she had known how much it would hurt? I think she would have. You see, the blessings outweigh the pain when you choose to follow God no matter what happens.

God wants us to love people (Matt.22:39). He didn’t say it would always be easy; he never said that we wouldn’t get hurt along the way. He simply said to love…even when it hurts.

Some people have figured out that the best way to avoid the pain that is inevitably part of human relationships is to avoid getting close to anyone. This is a huge price to pay. The blessings of loving people far outweigh the heartaches.

Lady Antebellum sings, “I guess I’d rather hurt than feel nothing at all.” That’s what Mary chose to do, and it would be a wise choice for all of us to make—to love…even when it hurts.