Finding Purpose in Pain: Trusting God's Plan

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often encounter moments of profound pain and suffering. These moments, though challenging, are opportunities for growth and transformation. God desires to use the greatest pain in our lives to benefit others, just as He allowed His own Son to suffer for our salvation. This concept of redemptive suffering is central to our understanding of God's purpose in our lives. When we endure suffering and use it to help others, we are most like Christ, growing in maturity and faith.

When God says "no" to our prayers, it is crucial to trust that He acts out of goodness and love. God does not do anything unloving or evil; everything He does is for our good. This trust is essential, especially when Satan tries to sow seeds of doubt in our hearts. We must remember that God's answers, even when they are not what we desire, are motivated by love. We have three choices when faced with God's "no": resist it, resent it, or relax in it. Resisting or resenting leads to bitterness and misery, while relaxing in God's will brings peace and trust in His greater plan.

In times of pain, we should pray as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus acknowledged God's power, expressed His desires, and ultimately submitted to God's will. This model of prayer teaches us to affirm God's power, ask with passion, and accept His plan. Even when God's answer is not what we hoped for, we can expect His grace to sustain us. Grace is the strength to endure pain and do the right thing, even when it is difficult.

The Apostle Paul experienced this firsthand with his "thorn in the flesh." Despite praying for its removal, God responded with, "My grace is all you need." This teaches us that God's power is greatest in our weakness. Our pain can shape us, deepen our dependence on God, and be used to help others. Everything significant we learn often comes through pain, not pleasure.

Ultimately, we must trust that God has a bigger perspective, a better plan, and a greater purpose for our lives. When prayers go unanswered, it may be because God is protecting us or preparing us for something greater. Trusting God means knowing Him deeply and believing in His goodness and love. As we open our hearts to Him, we invite His presence, power, and purpose into our lives, allowing Him to use our pain for His glory.

Key Takeaways:

1. Redemptive Suffering: Embrace the idea that God can use your greatest pain to benefit others, just as He did with Christ's suffering for our salvation. This redemptive suffering is an opportunity to grow in Christlikeness and maturity. [00:11]

2. Trust in God's Love: When God says "no," trust that His actions are always motivated by love and goodness. Even when we don't understand His answers, we can be assured that He is working for our good. [01:05]

3. Prayer in Pain: Follow Jesus' example in Gethsemane by affirming God's power, expressing your desires, and submitting to His will. This model of prayer helps us align our hearts with God's purpose, even in suffering. [04:57]

4. Expect God's Grace: When faced with unanswered prayers, expect God's grace to sustain you. His grace provides the strength to endure pain and do the right thing, even when it's difficult. [08:03]

5. God's Greater Plan: Trust that God has a bigger perspective, a better plan, and a greater purpose for your life. Unanswered prayers may be part of His protection or preparation for something greater. [13:20]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Redemptive Suffering
- [01:05] - Trust in God's Love
- [02:34] - Responding to God's "No"
- [04:00] - Prayer in Pain
- [06:02] - Jesus' Model of Prayer
- [07:48] - Expecting God's Grace
- [09:11] - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
- [10:52] - Personal Testimony of Pain
- [12:34] - Learning Through Pain
- [13:20] - Trusting God's Plan
- [15:00] - Knowing and Trusting God
- [16:36] - Poem: You Are Who You Are
- [17:17] - Prayer of Trust
- [19:26] - Looking Forward to Heaven

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 25:10 - "All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant."
2. Romans 8:28 - "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."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 - "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the concept of "redemptive suffering," and how does it relate to Christ's suffering? [00:11]

2. What are the three responses mentioned in the sermon that we can have when God says "no" to our prayers? [02:34]

3. How did Jesus model prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, and what are the three components of His prayer? [06:02]

4. What was the Apostle Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh," and what did he learn from God's response? [09:11]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the idea of "redemptive suffering" challenge or affirm your understanding of God's purpose in allowing pain in our lives? [00:11]

2. In what ways does trusting in God's love and goodness, even when He says "no," impact a believer's faith journey? [01:05]

3. How can Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane serve as a model for how believers should approach God in times of personal pain and suffering? [06:02]

4. What does Paul's acceptance of his "thorn in the flesh" teach us about the relationship between weakness and God's power? [09:11]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced significant pain or suffering. How might God be using that experience to benefit others, and how can you embrace this opportunity for growth? [00:11]

2. When faced with unanswered prayers, how can you practice trusting in God's love and goodness? What specific steps can you take to relax in His will rather than resist or resent it? [02:34]

3. Consider a current situation where you are experiencing pain or difficulty. How can you apply Jesus' model of prayer by affirming God's power, expressing your desires, and submitting to His will? [06:02]

4. Identify an area of weakness in your life. How can you rely on God's grace to sustain you and allow His power to be made perfect in that weakness? [09:11]

5. Think about a prayer that has gone unanswered in your life. How can you shift your perspective to see God's bigger plan, better plan, and greater purpose in this situation? [13:20]

6. How can you deepen your relationship with God to better trust Him, especially when His answers are not what you hoped for? What practical steps can you take to know Him more intimately? [15:00]

7. In what ways can you use your personal experiences of pain to support and encourage others in your community or small group? [19:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Redemptive Suffering
In the journey of faith, suffering is not merely an obstacle but an opportunity for transformation and growth. The concept of redemptive suffering suggests that God can use our deepest pains to benefit others, much like Christ's suffering brought salvation to humanity. This perspective encourages believers to view their trials as a means to grow in Christlikeness and maturity. By enduring suffering and using it to help others, individuals align themselves with the example of Christ, who demonstrated ultimate love and sacrifice. Embracing this idea allows believers to find purpose in their pain, trusting that God can bring good out of even the most challenging circumstances. [00:11]

2 Corinthians 1:5-7 (ESV): "For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or pain you have faced. How might God be calling you to use this experience to support or encourage someone else in your community today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Loving "No"
When God says "no" to our prayers, it can be difficult to understand His reasons. However, it is crucial to trust that His actions are always motivated by love and goodness. Even when His answers are not what we desire, believers can be assured that God is working for their good. This trust is essential, especially when faced with doubts or temptations to question God's intentions. By choosing to relax in God's will rather than resisting or resenting it, individuals can find peace and trust in His greater plan. This perspective helps believers to see unanswered prayers as part of God's loving protection or preparation for something greater. [01:05]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Recall a time when God said "no" to something you deeply desired. How can you practice trusting in His love and goodness in that situation today, even if you still don't understand His reasons?


Day 3: Praying Through Pain
In times of pain, believers are encouraged to follow Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus acknowledged God's power, expressed His desires, and ultimately submitted to God's will. This model of prayer teaches individuals to affirm God's power, ask with passion, and accept His plan. By aligning their hearts with God's purpose, believers can find strength and peace even in suffering. This approach to prayer helps individuals to trust in God's wisdom and timing, knowing that His plans are ultimately for their good. It also encourages believers to be honest with God about their desires while remaining open to His will. [04:57]

Hebrews 5:7-8 (ESV): "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered."

Reflection: Consider a current struggle or pain in your life. How can you incorporate Jesus' model of prayer by affirming God's power, expressing your desires, and submitting to His will today?


Day 4: Expecting God's Sustaining Grace
When faced with unanswered prayers, believers are encouraged to expect God's grace to sustain them. God's grace provides the strength to endure pain and do the right thing, even when it is difficult. This perspective helps individuals to rely on God's power in their weakness, trusting that His grace is sufficient for their needs. The Apostle Paul's experience with his "thorn in the flesh" serves as a reminder that God's power is greatest in our weakness. By depending on God's grace, believers can find the strength to persevere through challenges and grow in their faith. [08:03]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Identify an area of weakness or struggle in your life. How can you actively rely on God's grace to sustain you and find strength in your weakness today?


Day 5: Trusting in God's Greater Plan
Believers are encouraged to trust that God has a bigger perspective, a better plan, and a greater purpose for their lives. Unanswered prayers may be part of His protection or preparation for something greater. Trusting God means knowing Him deeply and believing in His goodness and love. By opening their hearts to God, individuals invite His presence, power, and purpose into their lives, allowing Him to use their pain for His glory. This trust in God's greater plan helps believers to find peace and hope, even when circumstances are challenging or confusing. [13:20]

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (ESV): "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where you feel uncertain about God's plan. How can you deepen your trust in His greater purpose and invite His presence into that area of your life today?

Quotes

God wants to take the greatest pain in your life and use it to benefit other people do not waste your pain not only is this true in your own life it's true of Christ God even allowed his own son to suffer for our Salvation that's Redemptive suffering if God allowed his own son to go to the cross and suffer all that suffering for the benefit of you for your salvation when he allows you to go through suffering for the benefit of helping other people you are most like Christ in that moment it's not easy it's not fun but you're growing up and you're becoming like Christ when you suffer and you use that pain to help other people you don't waste that pain. [00:00:11]

When God says no number one trust that God does everything in goodness and love trust that God does everything for me in goodness and love God does not do anything unloving God does not do anything evil everything God does is always for your own good and because he loves you Psalm 25:10 all the ways of the Lord are loving there are no unloving ways of God God cannot act in an unloving way God is love Romans 8:28 in everything not some in everything even the bad stuff in everything God works for the good of those who love him now you need to remember that and you need to trust that God does everything in goodness and love in your life even when he says no. [00:01:05]

Really When God says no you've got three options you can resist it resent it or relax in it you can resist it and you can fight God and When God says no you get mad at God and you turn your back on God and you say Okay God if you won't play game my way I'm leaving you I'm out of here I'm going to take my ball and go home and I've met a lot of people who walked away from God because God said said no and they didn't trust that he had a bigger perspective a better plan and a greater purpose they walk away in resentment and Rebellion that's the second thing you can do is you can resent it you can resist it you can resent it and you become rebellious and you you become bitter and miserable and you doubt God's love and I know a lot of people who've lived their entire life in misery and they're miserable because they're resentful and they've never accepted the fact that God only does what's good in their lives or you can relax knowing that God always has your best interest heart God it doesn't make sense I don't understand it it's incredibly painful but I know this this is not good What's happen to me right now but I do know this you are good you are good you're a good God and you are loving and you will never stop loving me and even in this your love Still Remains. [00:02:34]

When in pain you pray what Jesus prayed facing the cross you pray what Jesus prayed facing AC cross Jesus prayed a prayer the night before he went to the Cross he was in The Garden of Gethsemane Gethsemane is a word that means where they press the grapes and it was is a garden of grape not Grapes of of Olives it was a garden or Orchard of olive trees on the Mount of Olives and it was Jesus favorite pray place to pray he knows tomorrow tomorrow he's going to be suffered suffering he's going to be tortured he's going to be put on the cross he's going to be shamed he's going to be spit on he's going to be whipped he's going to be crucified he doesn't want to go through this pain any more than you or I do the Bible says that in that Agony he went to the Garden to pray and the prayer that he prayed is the same prayer you should pray when you're in pain so follow this closely Mark chap 14 verse 3536 going a little farther into the garden Jesus fell to the ground he's in agony praying that if possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him what's that crucifixion he said God if it's possible I don't want to die on the cross if there's any other way for the Salvation of the world I don't want to die on the cross it's okay to say God I don't want this I don't want to go through this suffering it's okay for you to say that I don't want to go through this I don't want to face what I'm about to go through cancer surgery divorce death whatever God I don't want to do this he prayed that if possible he might not have to suffer what was ahead of him and Jesus prayed ABA father remember ABA daddy the intimate term Daddy father my father and he says three things all things are possible for you please take this cup cup of suffering away from me yet I want your will not mine to be done those are the three things you should always pray when you're in pain okay write these down here's the right way to pray when you're in pain first affirm God's power that's the first thing you do and he says god father I know you can do anything all things are possible for you so you know God I know you could take care of this situation I know you could keep me out of this suffering I know you could take away the pain instantly father you are all powerful that's the first thing you do second then you ask with passion you affirm God's power I know you can do anything you ask with passion father please give me what I ask father please take this cup of suffering away from me it's okay for you to pray God please take away the pain please take away the suffering that's okay and there are sometimes God will but sometimes you won't and so then you pray the third you affirm God's power you ask with passion and you accept God's plan however God I want most what is your will yes I don't want to go through this suffering I don't want to go through this problem I don't want to go through this pain but nevertheless what I want even more than that is I want your plan I want I want your purpose I want your perspective I want your will however yet your will not mine to be done that's what I want and when you pray that prayer God Smiles because he knows you trust him. [00:04:00]

I expect God to give his grace to handle his answer I expect God to give his grace that's his strength his power to handle his answer what is Grace Grace is God's power to handle pain and Grace is God's power to do the right thing anyway even when it's painful I'm going to do the right thing even though it's painful you know even the Apostle Paul who's the greatest Christian who ever lived next to Jesus Christ himself did not get any answers to all of his prayers in fact he had what he called a thorn in the flesh we don't actually know what it was but it was a lifelong problem that caused Great pain in his life and he says God had blessed blessed me so much that he gave me this problem this thorn in my side that would just wouldn't go away to keep me dependent upon him and he says many many times I prayed for God to take it away and God would not take it away he said no and here's what he says about that problem 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 three times I prayed to the Lord about this and I asked him to take it away God take away this pain but his answer was my grace my grace is all you need for my power is greatest when you are weak so Paul says I gladly boast about my weaknesses my pain my problems my difficulties so that Christ's power can flow through me but when I am weak then I'm strong I'm not going on my power I'm going on God's power. [00:08:03]

Everything I've learned in life I have learned from pain I have learned nothing from pleasure I've learned everything important I've learned through pain I have learned nothing from praise and compliments and having my picture on the cover of dozens of national magazines every everything I've learned I've learned through criticism and attacks and the things that I've prayed about the most God has chosen to not remove but like job job says though he slay me yes will I trust him God could kill me I'm still going to trust him if God never said yes to another prayer in my life I still owe him the rest of my life and you do too if God never said yes to another prayer in your life you wouldn't even be alive if it weren't for him you wouldn't be sa saved if it weren't for him you wouldn't be on your way to heaven if it weren't for him all the things that God has done for you if he never did another yes he has a bigger plan better plan bigger perspective and a greater purpose. [00:12:34]

Those who know you Lord will trust you you do not abandon anyone who comes to you if you don't trust God when he says no it means you don't really know him those who know the Lord trust him they know he's good they know he's loving if you don't trust him it means you don't know him yet you get to know him starting today. [00:15:00]

You are who you are for a reason you're part of an intricate plan you're a precious and perfect unique design called God's special woman or man you look like you look for a reason God made no mistake he knit you together within the womb and you're just what he wanted to make the parents you had were the ones that he chose and no matter how you may feel they were custom designed with God's plan in mind and they bear the Master's seal it wasn't that they were good or bad parents or indifferent or you never even met them they had the DNA that created you and God was more interested in creating you and they were the only two who could create you he's more interested in you being alive than their parenting skills that's why he chose your parents he wanted you alive nobody else could have made you know that trauma you faced was not easy wasn't easy and God wept that it hurt you so but it was allowed to shape your heart so that into his likeness you'd grow you are who you are for a reason you have been formed by the Master's Rod you are who you are beloved because there is a God. [00:16:36]

You're not going to get a yes answer to every one of your prayers you ought to thank God for that some of them we can figure out why but some of them we're never going to know why until we get to heaven but we do know this God is a good god he's a loving God he has a greater perspective he has a better plan and he has a a greater purpose if you don't trust him it's because you don't know him so why don't you take the first step today to knowing god really knowing him say dear God I want to get to know you just say that in your heart dear God I want to get to know you I want to open my life to you I want to learn to love you and trust you and I want to feel your love toward me I don't feel it but I want to feel it I want to be close to you and God I want your plan for my life not mine mine hadn't worked out real well God I want your purpose for my life not mine God I want your power in my life not mine God I want your pardon for all the things I've done wrong I need your peace I need your presence thank you for letting your son Jesus suffer for me so he could pay for all my sins and God if you want to use the pain in my life to help others do so I want to be more like you so today as much as I know how Jesus Christ I ask you to fill me with your life and your love and your spirit and start me on the journey to trust in you more every day and then one day I ask you to take me home to your home in heaven where all the questions will be answered and all the problems will be removed and all the pain will be replaced with your joy I look forward to that day help me to tell other people about this in your name I pray amen. [00:17:17]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 17, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?