God may allow the difficult boss to teach us self-control. It doesnt yet serve a purpose, but it is lovingly pushed, molded and fired at extremely high temperatures so that it will be ready for its final purpose. Acute pain comes on suddenly, localized, easily identified, severe, and can become chronic. One of the most difficult things about pain is the feeling that its pointless. Jesus knows all about pain and He knows your pain. Unfortunately, it is in that place of greatest pain, and there alone, that the discovery can be made. This will hurt a little bit. A little bit! It becomes pretty easy to end up treating God as a commodity Copyright 2023 Proverbs 31 Ministries. We come out on the other side of it looking a little more like Jesus. Try being stoned, scourged (five times), and being beaten with fists, rods and words. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Psalm 139:1-6 If we invite Christ to meet us right where we are, knowing full well that He knows our pain and without masking our emotions, we can be triumphant in our defeats. Click here to view our policy on 3rd party links. When we are hurting, we want God to be aware of us. Female, Are you a Pastor? If you are struggling today, remember God has not forgotten you. Theres a fine line here that must not be crossed, lest we cause even more pain to someone who suffers. It seems unreal that pain could be turned into joy. Deals with one of the reasons people give for taking thier lives into thier own hands near the end of life, the second part of a 3 part series. Psalm 56 begins with David's cry for mercy because his enemies are attacking him. Senior Center Devotional But at the moment, Paul only knew the pain of having to leave his home and ministry in a hurry. Financial pain when our position is terminated and bills stack up. But Well feel that, I know your storm feels long right now, but today I want you to focus on, he leads me beside peaceful streams. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin. Christian/Church Of Christ. Free shipping on books, Bibles, gifts, VBS, and church supplies of $50 or more. But God valued her enough to communicate with her directly. And pain has a power. They have lived with suffering for so longs; they act out if they have no pain. They want to live like they want. Come to me,all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Or arthritis. God Knows Our Suffering | Theology of Work Psalm 56 begins with David's cry for mercy because his enemies are attacking him. Something that we can have whenever we want it.. without really knowing who he really is.. read more, Scripture: However, if we are going to be successful in moving forward then well need to let go of all that useless, heavy baggage. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (NIV), Genesis 16:11, The angel of the LORD also said to her: You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. Introduction Sunday, August 18, 2002 The Greek word for the Holy Spirit is literally translated to, The one who comes alongside. Remember that, when youre standing in the hospital or funeral home, or when you hear the words you never thought youd hear. Life would have felt unfair and even cruel. We know that hes aware of our struggle. To know him by experience and not just academically. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.. Or perhaps just a needed break from our pain and suffering. For more information, see ourPrivacy Policy. It's no wonder that people have found themselves weeping, crying, and calling out to God . Free Methodist. If Christs power was upon him in the pain, then he would rather have the strength of Christ than his own weakness. The pain didnt go away. God might allow a colicky baby to teach us patience. Pain management with prescriptions, exercise, massage, etc. Audio, Trip Lee Explains Meaning of At the Cross Single. He knows your deepest fears. John 1:18, Denomination: Featuring Jen Wilkin, Jennifer Rothschild, Kristi McLelland, and more! For more information, see our, MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS PICKS FOR THE CRAFTER ON YOUR LIST, EASY DIY FALL AND THANKSGIVING PILLOWS WITH FREE SVG FILE . He knows what disappointment feels like and He knows how stubborn mankind is because He created all things ( Colossians 1:16 ), knows all things ( Psalm 139 ), and can experience in perfect matrimony, all things. That relationship bound through sorrow offers not only comfort and communion, but also a glimpse of glory that will transform our faith, make us more like him, and prepare us for the unspeakable glories that await in eternity. 1. It was written because these are issues we will all face in our lives. Jeremiah 9:23-24, Denomination: But heaven may feel like little comfort as days of pain on earth stretch into months and even years. No, I do not remember being one TITLE: God Knows Order Curriculum, Literature, and Church Supplies, by Andy Cook on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM, Sermon 3 in a 4-sermon series called "Looking Up When Life Gets You Down". If we know God then should we not live differently? There is a nearness, a personalness to God that David immediately feels in trouble. A glorious inheritance. Jesus is relational. Apostolic. Please see below for details. {Well randomly select 5 winners and then notify each one in the comments section by Monday, May 10, 2021.}. Nothing is beyond God's ability to redeem. While I may not see or understand any of them, I know that the Lord would never make me suffer unnecessarily. He's been taking care of most of the hard stuff that life keeps throwing at you and only allowing those challenges that are most important for your growth. So I did the only thing I could: I offered it to Him. And most importantly, God was working on Josephs own heart, testing and probing and forming a young man who simply would not waver from his faith in God, even if life took him to the bottom of the dungeon, or the height of power and prosperity. Sold by his own brothers, betrayed by an employers wife, forgotten by friends in a prison, and ignored by the God who once had promised him a position of leadership and power. God was working in his brothers lives. We know theres a reason for what were going through. Now I see in a mirror dimly. read more, Scripture: God loves you in your finest moment and your darkest hour. read more. And in the New Testament, its Paul crawling out from underneath a pile of rocks in Lystra, dusting himself off, and heading to Derbe. Our heart can only be healthy if we are close to God's heart. And as we behold Gods glory, we are being changed into his image (2 Corinthians 3:18), becoming more like him. No, they do not themselves remove our pain. Illustration: The beauty of a single pearl, or a string of the precious stones, is unmistakable. If we are his, our pain will most surely and completely end. I know, because I have experienced this before. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.. Please spray the wilderness to rid the areas of these pests.Please pave the trails so they can be snow-plowed during the winter.Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. A people without hope. The image calms my heart, but best of all, it binds me to his love. But one day the oyster is fished from the water and opened. He knows you fully. Let us then approach Gods throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need., If you are experiencing pain today please know that you have a God that caresfor you and Jesus knows your pain. Exodus 33:12-15. Dont lose faith that he is in control. It was a messenger from Satan, sent to torment him. If someone you love gets orders to deploy to a war, youll know the truth of the old saying, that absence makes the heart grow fonder. If youre the one forced to leave, the pain of separation will greatly increase the intensity of training, preparation, and work. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. With no way to expel the grain of sand, with no way to ease the pain, the oyster coats the sand with a layer of the inner lining of its shell to make the sand smooth. I picture my Savior yielding to the spike-like barbs, wholly embracing his own suffering to rescue me. (1 Peter 5:10). Paul didnt get a pass from pain. In places like Athens, Ephesus, and Corinth, the once powerful temples and the religion of the Greek gods that so dominated his culture are in ruins. He heals and binds our wounds (Psalm 147:3). Pain . You say no again. But how can we tell if we really know God? There will be no pain in heaven. 3 People, Permanent, and Perfected Pain Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. It doesnt deny our pain or how much it hurts. be 1John We already know that pain happens.. He works in ALL things to produce Christ-like maturity. The apostle Paul talks about sharing in Christs sufferings, wanting to know him and the power of his resurrection (Philippians 3:10). Jesus answered, Ye neither know We can only live one chapter of our lives at a time, and none of us knows exactly what the next chapter will bring. And when we can, like Barbara, imitate Jesus and his glad willingness to submit to God, we experience a profound kinship with him. The weightier the suffering, the greater the comfort, the richer the fellowship, and ultimately the deeper the joy. He's Where the Joy Is by Tara-Leigh Cobble, Black Church Leadership & Family Conference. read more, Scripture: Exodus 33: 12. He knows! Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. I know it hurts. *, Forgot your password He gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist (Romans 4:17). Joni Eareckson Tada understands this sacred experience, as she lives with crushing pain on top of her quadriplegia. Of course, as Christians we know that God is always with us and that there is nowhere we can flee from his presence (Psalm 139:78), but actually sensing Gods presence and comfort is different. When you begin to doubt that God sees you, turn again to Psalm 139. Hed been scored, chased, scandalized and slandered. 3 read more, Scripture: Surely it became known that they had come to town speaking of a Jewish messiah! Are you suffering? I want us to look into the Bible and look at some Bible characters and at some lives transformed in 40 days. In Romans 8:18, Paul who experienced all kinds of pain writes, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. We can endure a lot of pain if we know that something better is coming. Sharp stones and rough bits God will get on us sometimes for not listening. read more, Scripture: Well, thats a lie. I understand in part. I offer $1,000. Thats why the Bible says we can go to him with confidence: For we do not have a high priestwho is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we areyet he did not sin. Scripture: Mark 5:21-43. Yet as I identify with his suffering and yield more fully to him in my sorrow, I possess more of him. He has engraved you on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:1516). This is quintessentially the very thing we want from God; for Him to see us and for Him to see, deal, and eradicate our pain. Wouldnt it be a good idea, when it would be in your power, to take special care of those who work for you? My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. He comprehends the unexplainable anguish that invades our lives like an intruder bent on stealing valuables our self-esteem, purity, health, hope, future and more. As I got up this morning I felt pains in my body that are a result of sparring in my karate class, preparing for a tournament later this week. What motivates you to make changes in your life? Introduction: The Psalmist declares that God knows the number of stars in the universe. We live in a day of proliferating knowledge. Suffering can open our eyes to Gods glory we see and experience it rather than learn what glory means intellectually. Hed been the focus of riots and death threats, and after one harrowing, near-death experience, he was snake bitten! Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, prt. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. (Source: Mike Neifert, Light and Life, February 1997, p. 27). And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Their heart is unfeeling like fat, but we delight in Your law. Pain and offense are tools used by the Devil to isolate individuals and make them more susceptible to spiritual attack. Enter to win by leaving a comment here. It has given me joy when I was discouraged (Psalm 16:11), refreshed me when I was weary (Acts 3:20), and taken away my fear when I was in deep waters (Isaiah 43:2). Paul asked God to remove the pain, whatever it might have been. It is full of meaning and will not be wasted, even if all I can see in the moment is my loss. Pain becomes our teacher when God wants to teach us something. Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us thatJesus can empathize with our pain and weakness: Whenever I read that passage I find myself marveling at the fact we, sinful humans, can approach Gods throne with confidence, so that we can receive mercy and find grace to, help us in our time of need. This proves a couple of things. Ive always been interested in what motivates people to make changes in their lives so this past week I did a It is a very rare medical condition that causes you to ooze or sweat blood from your skin when youre not cut or injured andoccursunderconditionsof extreme physical or emotional stress. Baptist, C.S. . Though Paul never got to preach to the crowd, as he wanted to do, you can bet thousands of people heard details of the Gospel that day, perhaps more hearing, in a single day than had heard in the past two years combined. That God was using my suffering to accomplish something far greater than I could see or understand. Navigating the challenges and joys of ministry life.