Finding Faith Amidst Pain and Suffering
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we began our series on Unbelief with a focus on "Help Me Believe in Pain." Pain is a universal experience, and yesterday's events in my household underscored this reality. From a painful dental visit to my toddler's injury, pain was a constant reminder. This led us to explore the profound story in Mark 9, where a father seeks Jesus' help for his possessed son. John MacArthur describes the father's plea as a candid admission of imperfect faith, a sentiment many of us can relate to during our own painful times.
We established that God is inherently good, regardless of our circumstances. This foundational belief allows us to navigate pain with two choices: handle it ourselves or surrender it to God. The latter taps into God's limitless power, contrasting our own limited abilities. Jesus' rebuke of His disciples for their lack of faith in Mark 9 serves as a reminder that God is present in our pain, just as He was with His people in Isaiah 45:2.
Our strength in these moments is found in prayer. The disciples' inability to heal the boy in Mark 9, despite having been given the authority in Mark 6, highlights the necessity of prayer and fasting. Philippians 4:6-7 and Hebrews 4:6 emphasize approaching God with confidence and making our requests known to Him.
Trusting in God's dominion is crucial. Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 46:1-2 remind us to lean not on our understanding but on God's, who is our refuge and strength. Painful experiences are opportunities for growth, much like the endurance built in ultra-running. Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4 teach us that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope.
Finally, Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. This includes both the good and the painful times. As we concluded, I encouraged those who haven't accepted Jesus to do so, emphasizing the importance of knowing God and living according to His purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. God's Presence in Pain: God is always present in our pain, just as He was with His people in Isaiah 45:2 and with the disciples in Mark 9. This presence provides comfort and assurance that we are not alone, even in our most challenging times. [06:46]
2. Strength Through Prayer: Our strength in painful situations is found in prayer and fasting. The disciples' inability to heal the boy in Mark 9, despite their authority, underscores the necessity of a strong prayer life. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring all our anxieties to God through prayer. [09:37]
3. Trust in God's Dominion: Trusting in God's dominion means acknowledging His control over all situations, including our pain. Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 46:1-2 remind us to lean on God's understanding and find refuge in Him, knowing He is our strength. [12:10]
4. Growth Through Pain: Painful experiences are opportunities for growth. Just as endurance is built in ultra-running, our character and hope are developed through suffering, as stated in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4. This growth prepares us for future challenges. [16:24]
5. All Things Work for Good: Romans 8:28 assures us that all things, including painful experiences, work together for the good of those who love God. This promise provides hope and perspective, reminding us that God's purpose encompasses both our joys and our trials. [18:54]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:48] - Introduction to Pain
[04:09] - Two Choices in Pain
[05:28] - God's Presence in Pain
[06:46] - Jesus' Rebuke and Isaiah 45:2
[08:07] - The Father's Plea in Mark 9
[09:37] - Strength Through Prayer
[10:56] - Philippians 4:6-7
[12:10] - Trust in God's Dominion
[13:44] - Learning Through Pain
[14:34] - Ultra-Running Analogy
[15:18] - Digging the Pain Cave
[16:24] - Romans 5:3-5
[17:52] - James 1:2-4
[18:25] - Romans 8:28
[19:32] - Call to Accept Jesus
[20:03] - Series Overview
[21:03] - Closing Prayer
[22:20] - Connect Card and Welcome to Point Man
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 9:14-29 - The story of the father seeking Jesus' help for his possessed son.
2. Philippians 4:6-7 - Encouragement to bring all anxieties to God through prayer.
3. Romans 8:28 - Assurance that all things work together for the good of those who love God.
#### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 9:14-29, what was the father's plea to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to the disciples' inability to heal the boy? [05:28]
2. According to Philippians 4:6-7, what are we encouraged to do with our anxieties, and what is promised in return? [10:56]
3. How does Romans 8:28 describe the relationship between our experiences, both good and bad, and God's purpose for those who love Him? [18:25]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith in Mark 9:19? How does this rebuke relate to our own struggles with faith during painful times? [05:28]
2. How does the promise in Philippians 4:6-7 to guard our hearts and minds with God's peace help us in times of pain and anxiety? [10:56]
3. Romans 8:28 states that all things work together for good for those who love God. How can this perspective change the way we view our painful experiences? [18:25]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent painful experience. Did you try to handle it on your own, or did you surrender it to God? How did that choice impact the outcome? [04:09]
2. How can you incorporate more prayer and possibly fasting into your life to strengthen your faith during difficult times? [09:37]
3. Think of a situation where you struggled to trust in God's dominion. What steps can you take to lean more on God's understanding rather than your own? [12:10]
4. Painful experiences are opportunities for growth. Can you identify a past painful experience that led to personal growth? How did it shape your character and hope? [16:24]
5. Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for good. How can you remind yourself of this promise when facing new challenges? [18:25]
6. The father in Mark 9 admitted his imperfect faith by saying, "I believe; help my unbelief." Is there an area in your life where you need to make a similar plea to God? How can you start that conversation with Him? [08:07]
7. How can you support someone else who is going through a painful time, helping them to see God's presence and purpose in their situation? [06:46]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Presence in Pain
Description: Pain is a universal experience that can often make us feel isolated and abandoned. However, the Bible assures us that God is always present in our pain. Just as He was with His people in Isaiah 45:2 and with the disciples in Mark 9, God is with us in our most challenging times. This presence provides comfort and assurance that we are not alone. When we acknowledge God's presence, we can find solace and strength to endure our trials. The story of the father seeking Jesus' help for his possessed son in Mark 9 is a powerful reminder that even in our moments of imperfect faith, God is there, ready to help and heal. [06:46]
Isaiah 45:2 (ESV): "I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron."
Reflection: Think of a recent painful experience. How did you sense God's presence during that time, and how can you seek His presence more intentionally in future trials?
Day 2: Strength Through Prayer
Description: In times of pain, our strength is found in prayer and fasting. The disciples' inability to heal the boy in Mark 9, despite having been given the authority in Mark 6, underscores the necessity of a strong prayer life. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring all our anxieties to God through prayer. When we pray, we tap into God's limitless power, which contrasts our own limited abilities. Prayer is not just a ritual; it is a lifeline that connects us to God's strength and peace, enabling us to navigate our pain with grace and resilience. [09:37]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: What specific anxieties or pains are you currently facing? Take a moment to bring them to God in prayer, asking for His strength and peace.
Day 3: Trust in God's Dominion
Description: Trusting in God's dominion means acknowledging His control over all situations, including our pain. Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 46:1-2 remind us to lean on God's understanding and find refuge in Him, knowing He is our strength. When we trust in God's dominion, we surrender our limited understanding and embrace His infinite wisdom. This trust transforms our perspective, allowing us to see our pain as part of God's greater plan. It is a call to let go of our need for control and to rest in the assurance that God is sovereign and good. [12:10]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you struggling to trust God's control? How can you actively surrender these areas to Him today?
Day 4: Growth Through Pain
Description: Painful experiences are opportunities for growth. Just as endurance is built in ultra-running, our character and hope are developed through suffering, as stated in Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4. This growth prepares us for future challenges and deepens our faith. Pain teaches us resilience, patience, and dependence on God. It is through these trials that we are refined and strengthened, much like gold in a furnace. Embracing pain as a tool for growth allows us to see it not as a curse, but as a catalyst for becoming more like Christ. [16:24]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Reflect on a painful experience that led to personal growth. How did it shape your character and faith? How can you embrace current or future pain as an opportunity for growth?
Day 5: All Things Work for Good
Description: Romans 8:28 assures us that all things, including painful experiences, work together for the good of those who love God. This promise provides hope and perspective, reminding us that God's purpose encompasses both our joys and our trials. It is a profound assurance that nothing in our lives is wasted; every moment, whether joyful or painful, is woven into God's perfect plan. This understanding helps us to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we cannot see the bigger picture. It encourages us to remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that God is always at work for our ultimate good. [18:54]
Romans 8:28 (ESV): "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Reflection: How can you find hope in the promise that all things work together for good? Identify a current challenge and consider how God might be using it for your growth and His glory.
Quotes
1. "We can understand that no matter the season and the time that we're going through, that a faith in God and his outcome is for the good. And we'll dive into that conversation here in just a minute. Let's establish two trains of thought for the conversation we're going to have tonight. One, we have two decisions to make when we find ourselves in a season of pain. The first door that we can enter is an idea that we're going to take on the pain on our own." [03:30] (25 seconds)
2. "The biggest difference in the two though, you are exceptionally limited in what you can control and the outcome that you can produce. If you have a sick child, you can only do so much. You can only hire so many doctors. You can only spend so much money to overcome that sickness for that child. But if you give the things that cause you pain to God, if you give those moments to him and allow him to work and to move in those things, you're tapping in to a limitless ability to work in those times." [04:45] (28 seconds)
3. "The first thing we have to do is we have to understand that God is present in our pain. He's present in our pain. In the story in Mark 9, here's what's going on for full context. Jesus walks up on his disciples and he says, his disciples are surrounded by a group of people. He walks up and he asks, what is going on? What are you discussing? A man speaks up and the man says, my son is sick. I've brought him to be healed. He's possessed is what's going on." [05:28] (30 seconds)
4. "In our life, when we make the decision to open door number two and to give painful situations to God, it doesn't mean that the outcome isn't painful. It doesn't mean that the situation and the trial that causes it isn't going to be hard, but God's working in those moments. Could there be divine healing for a sick child? Of course there could be. But even if there's not, even if it isn't a miracle that occurs, there's a reason. And we have to understand that it's inside of God's will. He's present in those moments of pain." [06:46] (30 seconds)
5. "The story in Mark 9 goes on, and Jesus turns to the man and he says, how long has this been going on with your son? He says, all of his life. This father has immense pain because he's been dealing with this son who has, this, this tormenting spirit that throws him into the water, throws him into the fire, tries to cause him harm. If you're a dad, think about it being your child who's dealing with this and the pain that you would be going through in your life." [08:07] (27 seconds)
6. "The second thing we need to understand is that our strength is found in prayer. The disciples could not heal him. He's brought to the disciples for healing. The son is. The disciples couldn't heal him. Understand this, that in Mark six, we're in Mark nine, in Mark six, the disciples are sent out with the ability to, to heal and to spread the gospel. They're given that authority to do so. But in this moment, they cannot do it. They go to Jesus after this event occurs and they ask him, why could we not cast it out?" [09:37] (37 seconds)
7. "We also find in Hebrews four, six, let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. Let's look at that word confidence here. We already discussed the fact that we have this relationship with God. We have this relationship with God. We have this relationship with God. We have this relationship with Jesus. We have this Holy Spirit that lives within us. We have the ability to commune with that. We have the ability to discuss in prayer, to learn from his word and to grow in that relationship with confidence, speaking plainly to God." [10:56] (24 seconds)
8. "We have to trust in God's dominion, trust in God's dominion. He created, this entire world that we exist in. This is his domain. This is his dominion. All things are possible for one who believes is what Jesus says. All things are possible for one who believes, who trusts in God's dominion. Proverbs 3, 5 through 6. I don't think it's up there and I don't think you have it there. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding and all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths." [12:10] (39 seconds)
9. "We must learn that we grow through our pain. I love the sport of ultra running. I used to run, I don't run too much anymore, but I love I love the sports because of the lessons that are taught whether you're running it or whether you're observing other people in this world. They do incredible things physically. There's two famous ultra-runners. One that most of you have probably heard of. His name is David Goggins. He's a military guy. He's on all the podcasts. He does all the things. And another one is a little lesser known to normal people, but in the ultra-running world, she's the queen." [14:34] (33 seconds)
10. "The things you learn in a season of pain, you can translate whenever the next situation comes. As Pastor Scott said one Sunday, he said, if you're not in a storm, you're coming out of a storm, and if you're not coming out of one, you're going into one. There's a storm somewhere coming, and there's a pain somewhere coming. You're never going to find yourself in this long stretch where everything's amazing. You're going to learn, and grow in pain. Romans 5, 3-5. Not only that we rejoice in our sufferings." [15:53] (30 seconds)
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