The next time you’re in pain, I would advise you to dial 5-1-1. That’s my shorthand way of reminding you to open your Bible to Romans 5, James 1, and 1 Peter 1, three essential passages that have been helping Christians get through pain for the past two thousand years.

Romans 5: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (verses 3-5).

James 1: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (verses 2-4).

1 Peter 1: “These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (verse 7).

Pain is always more bearable if you have a plan to persevere through it. So the next time you are suffering, grab your Bible and dial 5-1-1. I bet the Holy Spirit will help you bear your pain and remember the blessings of being a child of God.