Thoughts for Life: The Purpose of Pain

Charles F. Stanley, shares with us in a devotion on the Purpose of Pain:

"God, if You love me, then why must I endure pain?'

This question preoccupies many believers in their darkest hours of need.

While pain takes different forms and has different durations, suffering always comes with an objective greater than our comfort, pleasure, or personal goals.

If we seek the Lord's purpose for grief, we will find both His peace and His deep love for us.

Pain instructs. Christ's sufficiency is more apparent during times of suffering than in the midst of blessing. Discovering God's faithful provision strengthens out resolve to endure.

Pain purifies. Counterfeit faith cannot withstand hardship's flames. Like gold in a refiner's fire, suffering believers experience the burning away of impurities until only things of value remain.

Trials bring into focus the truth about the world we live in, the nature of people we meet, and the incomparable worth of our Father.

Pain motivates. Pain drives us to God. How often do we hear testimony from people who discovered Him during their worst trial?

In His wisdom, the Lord knows whether we require motivation from blessing or from distress.

Pain opens us to intimacy with God. At the end of our own resources is the Lord's boundless strength.

Running into His arms guarantees us the comfort and energy that is available only through an intimate relationship with the Father.

Living an easy life doesn't earn rewards. though our instinct is to side step pain, suffering helps us to find intimacy with God and the great purpose He sets for our life." (pg. 53)

Sept. '13 issue of Dr. Charles F. Stanley's magazine, In Touch

(Used by permission - customercare@intouch.org)

Let’s pray:

Father, when I experience pain, may I remember that Your love surrounds me, and it is Your desire that I speak to You about it.

My heart is softened by my own needs, and I turn to You for help in my situation.

May I recognize that You are waiting for me to seek intimacy with You, to know how to handle my pain.

Guide my efforts to get better, first by praying for Your healing touch, and then, to seek professional help if needed.

I give You the pain, as we know Christ experienced it first hand with the beatings and Crucifixion. I ask for Your Divine intervention in my learning to trust You for my healing, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 46:5 "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall keep her, and that right early."

Today’s quotes: Mary Southerland – “There have been many times in my life when I doubted my worth and value. I filled every waking moment with activity – good things – thinking that if I did enough good things, I would be good enough. It didn’t work. I can never be good enough to earn the love and favor of God.

The good news is that I don’t have to be. My worth and value rest in the fact that I am chosen by God to be His very own child. I am loved, wanted and planned by God Himself. Wow! God Himself supervised our formation. We were created – not to be a puppet – but for an intimate relationship with God.

Joe Stowell - "Sometimes it takes something like an injury or a sickness to remind us of the masterful design that we carry around in our bodies. So the next time you face an unwanted interruption—no matter its cause—focus your attention on Jesus' wonderful love and let Him lift your heart to grateful worship in the midst of the pain!"

Some thoughts today: Our faith in Christ's obedience in keeping all the commandments of His Father, is what saves us.

- Touch "the hem of Christ's garment", and believe that He can heal and save you. He became every curse, and He can free you today! Keep your eyes on Him!

- Is your mouth saved? Others are affected by the words you say. Bridle your tongue James 1:26. Watch what you say, and ask God to help you Ps. 19:14. You will either build up with your words, or destroy. Your responsibility is great, as well as your opportunity in any given day.

18th- Tuesday’s post: #63 1-2 Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

20th- Thursday's post #64 The Gift of Intercession C. Peter Wagner

22nd- Saturday's post: Are We Failing? Tammie Johnson

23rd- Sunday's post: God's Armor Dr. Charles Stanley

A popular post: Dealing with Adversity Lillian Duncan - "God never stops loving us. He is the source of every mercy. When you find life piling up, you can choose, like me, to follow these steps and draw your spiritual journey closer to Christ. He stands waiting for you to come."