NEVER WASTE YOUR PAIN
Have you gone through all of this for nothing? Is it all really for nothing? (Gal. 3:4)
PAIN CAN BE USED FOR A GOOD PURPOSE
1. I CAN USE IT TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD
We were crushed and overwhelmed...and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; BUT
THAT WAS GOOD, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us...
and he did help us! (2 Cor. 1:8-10)
I am glad...not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God. (2 Cor. 7:9)
tell him how you feel, cry out to God
2. I CAN USE IT TO DRAW CLOSER TO OTHERS
By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2)
deepen your love
give each other grace
feelings aren't right or wrong
fellowship of suffering
real love works
3. I CAN USE IT TO BECOME MORE LIKE JESUS
Now isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're
more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more
responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. (2 Cor. 7:11)
For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually
decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. After these temporary troubles we
suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our
attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for
a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
better or bitter
pain transforms us
secret of every winner-resilience (ability to bounce back)
4. I CAN USE IT TO HELP OTHERS
God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. Then, when others are troubled,
we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we
suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when we are
weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so
that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things
we suffer. (2 Cor. 1:4-6)
redemptive
5. I CAN USE IT TO WITNESS TO THE WORLD
I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has
helped me to spread the Good News. (Phil. 1:12)
In everything we do try to show that we are true servants of God. We patiently endure suffering
and hardship and trouble of every kind. (2 Cor. 6:4)
highest form-witnessing in your pain
how we handle adversity
weaknesses gain more respect/attention than strength
HELPING OTHERS
use pain as model for message
**Your deepest life message will come out of your deepest pain**
purpose-driven pain
FIVE PURPOSES OF LIFE
1. To know and love Him (Worship)
2. Learn to love others (Fellowship)
3. Grow up spiritually (Discipleship)
4. Practice serving (Ministry)
5. Made for a mission (Life message)
Most never gain from their pain
Prov. 20:30 sometimes painful situation needed to change our ways
Heb. 5:8 Jesus learned obedience from suffering
Heb. 5:9 Suffering made Jesus perfect (complete)
2 Cor. 11: 23-28 Paul's sufferings
2 Cor. 4: 8-10 pressed on every side
Paul's secret-perspective
looked at things from a Godly view
can handle unbelievable pain if you see a purpose in it
Look beyond
Helping others:
Think of your 4 most painful experiences in life
Names of people going thru similar things
Not recovered until you help someone else
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