Don't Waste Your Pain

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction... - 2 Corinthians 1:3-9

   Affliction (pain and suffering) is an inevitable, unavoidable, and repeatable part of life. None of us are exempt. While we would all like to avoid affliction, the truth is that pain and affliction serve a greater purpose, whether it comes from our own choices, the ordinary course of life, an attack of spiritual forces, or from God Himself. Richard Cecil is noted as saying, "God's way of answering the Christian's prayer for more patience, experience, hope, and love often is to put him into the furnace of affliction.” Even though we cannot avoid affliction, we can use it for the glory of God. That’s right. Your pain can be used to glorify God. How do we do this?

   First, we need to learn to receive God's comfort. Much like in life, some folks are better at letting others "in" than others. Some of us, like myself, hem ourselves in when trouble comes. We need time to process our thoughts and emotions and devise a plan of action to deal with our affliction. Others respond differently, letting others into the conversation early in the process. However, as Christians, our first response should be to reach out to the LORD. Notice how Paul refers to Him as the "Father of mercies" and "God of all comfort" (v. 2). He is the most capable and is in the best position to comfort our hurting hearts, if we will only receive Him and what He has to offer (v. 3).

   Next, we need to share God's comfort. Those of us who have suffered and have received God's comfort need to share that with others who are hurting (v. 4). Furthermore, sometimes the best remedy for our own hurts is to reach out to someone else who is hurting. That may sound crazy to some, but it works. There is just something powerful about allowing God to work through you to bring comfort to another. You may think to yourself, "Yeah, but I have nothing to give right now." Not true! If you have Jesus in your life, then you have everything to give!  

   Lastly,  you can find purpose within your pain. Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm not suggesting that you can always know why you are suffering. Pain comes into our lives for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't mean that it suffering is meaningless. Paul suffered greatly, to the point that he "despaired of life" (v. 8). However, further writes that the affliction he suffered reminded him to trust not in himself, but to trust in God who raises the dead (v. 9). Our affliction, regardless of its source, is an opportunity for God's power to break through into our world and show forth His glory.

   We cannot avoid affliction, but we do not have to be destroyed by it.  Dwight L. Moody  said, "We can stand affliction better than we can prosperity, for in prosperity we forget God.” Our normal human response is to run from affliction, but perhaps we should embrace it, realizing that every affliction, although difficult and often lonely, is another opportunity for God's grace to shine. Paul wrote in Romans,  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose," (8:28). It is not that all things we face are good, for many of life's circumstances are not, but in all things God can bring forth good. He is the one who brings beauty from ashes (Isaiah 61:3). Suffering is inescapable, but it is not pointless. Don't let your pain go to waste.

  This is from a message I preached to the congregation I serve. The message is powerful, but not easy to digest. I pray that you will receive it and apply it. Please feel free to share this.