”We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.”  2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (NLT)

PAIN CAUSES ME TO DEPEND ON GOD FOR HELP

“ That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NLT)

PAIN CAUSES ME TO BE HUMBLE

“Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So, to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)

PAIN CAUSES ME TO BE SENSITIVE TO OTHERS

“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

PAIN CAUSES ME TO FIND MY MINISTRY IN MY MESS

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR PAIN IN MY LIFE:

PAIN IS USED TO PUSH US

“Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.”  Proverbs 20:30 (GN)

“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ Luke 15:13-19

PAIN IS USED TO PILOT US

“My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. 72 Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.” Psalms 119:71-72

PAIN IS USED TO PROVE US

“I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”  Isaiah 48:10 (NIV)

(Israelites) “God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to find out how you would respond, and whether or not you would really obey him.”  Deuteronomy 8:2 (LB)

PAIN IS USED TO PROTECT US

Joseph said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…” Genesis 50:20 (NIV)

PAIN IS USED TO PRUNE US

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more”. John 15:2

“For when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems…then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.”  James 1:4 (LB)

“If you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.”  1 Peter 4:19 (LB)