Transforming Pain: The Jesus Way to Healing
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and reflect on the inevitable presence of pain and suffering in our lives. Jesus himself said, "In this world, you will face trouble," and this truth resonates deeply with our daily experiences. Whether it's losing a loved one, facing illness, or dealing with challenging relationships, emotional pain builds up and often sabotages our attempts to become more like Jesus. We explored how unhealed emotional pain can hinder our spiritual growth and discussed common but ineffective ways people deal with pain: denial, detachment, and drugging it with distractions.
We then turned our focus to the "Jesus way" of dealing with pain, which involves meeting God in our suffering. Jesus, in his most painful moments, went to a quiet place, shared his sorrow with close friends, and offered his feelings up to God in prayer. This practice of lament is crucial for emotionally healthy spirituality. To become like Jesus, we must first be emotionally healthy, which means being aware of and naming our feelings, processing them before God, and not letting them cause us to act in unloving ways.
We also discussed the importance of spiritual practices like solitude, prayer, and friendship in creating time and space to process our pain with God and in community. These practices help us access the Holy Spirit's guidance and refine our lives to become more like Jesus. Despite the temptation to give up when faced with emotional pain, we are encouraged to draw on the Holy Spirit's power and keep pushing through, as our pain can become the pathway to our transformation.
Finally, we were reminded that Jesus, who faced immense suffering, understands our weaknesses and can turn our pain into something good. By meeting God in our pain, we can grow spiritually and become more like Jesus, transforming our suffering into a source of strength and growth.
### Key Takeaways
1. Emotional Pain as a Signal: Emotional pain is similar to physical pain; it signals that something within us needs attention and healing. Ignoring or denying this pain can lead to destructive consequences, both for ourselves and our relationships. Recognizing and addressing our emotional wounds is crucial for spiritual growth. [33:30]
2. The Ineffectiveness of Denial, Detachment, and Drugging: Common ways people deal with emotional pain—denial, detachment, and drugging—are ultimately ineffective and harmful. These methods may provide temporary relief but fail to address the root causes of our pain, leading to greater issues over time. [36:49]
3. The Jesus Way of Dealing with Pain: Jesus provides a model for dealing with emotional pain by meeting God in it. He did not deny, detach, or drug his pain but instead went to a quiet place, shared his sorrow with close friends, and offered his feelings up to God in prayer. This practice of lament is essential for emotional and spiritual health. [40:36]
4. The Role of Spiritual Practices: Practices like solitude, prayer, and friendship are vital for creating the time and space needed to process our pain with God and in community. These practices help us access the Holy Spirit's guidance and refine our lives to become more like Jesus. [44:01]
5. Transformation Through Pain: Our pain and suffering, when brought to God, can become the secret to our spiritual growth. Jesus, who understands our weaknesses, can turn our pain into something good. By meeting God in our pain, we can transform our suffering into a source of strength and growth, becoming more like Jesus. [46:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:32] - Opening Prayer
[21:45] - Introduction to Pain and Suffering
[25:59] - Emotional Pain and Spiritual Growth
[26:51] - Children's Object Lesson
[30:54] - Reflection on Spiritual Practices
[32:19] - Unloading the Unconscious
[33:30] - Emotional Pain as a Signal
[34:39] - Ineffective Ways to Deal with Pain
[38:28] - The Jesus Way of Dealing with Pain
[40:36] - Jesus' Example in Gethsemane
[42:41] - Emotional Health and Spirituality
[44:01] - Role of Spiritual Practices
[46:02] - Transformation Through Pain
[48:06] - Group Discussion and Reflection
[01:07:46] - Children's Activities
[01:12:35] - Encouragement to Share Pain
[01:14:24] - Closing Prayer and Song
[01:24:14] - Final Blessing and Fellowship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 26:36-39 (NIV)
> Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
2. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
> 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. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
> Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus do when he felt overwhelmed with sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane? (Matthew 26:36-39)
2. According to Romans 8:28, how does God use our pain and suffering?
3. What does James 1:2-4 say about the purpose of trials and suffering in our lives?
4. In the sermon, what are the three common but ineffective ways people deal with emotional pain? ([34:39])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus chose to pray and share his sorrow with close friends during his time of suffering? ([40:36])
2. How can recognizing emotional pain as a signal for healing change our approach to dealing with it? ([33:30])
3. What does it mean to process our pain before God, and why is this important for spiritual growth? ([42:41])
4. How do spiritual practices like solitude, prayer, and friendship help us in dealing with emotional pain? ([44:01])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced emotional pain. How did you deal with it? Did you use denial, detachment, or distractions? How effective were these methods? ([34:39])
2. Jesus shared his sorrow with his closest friends and prayed to God. How can you incorporate these practices into your own life when facing emotional pain? ([40:36])
3. What are some specific ways you can create time and space for solitude, prayer, and friendship in your weekly routine to process your pain with God? ([44:01])
4. Think about a current emotional pain you are experiencing. How can you bring this pain to God in prayer and possibly share it with a trusted friend or mentor? ([42:41])
5. How can you remind yourself that emotional pain is a signal for healing and not something to be ignored or suppressed? ([33:30])
6. In what ways can you draw on the Holy Spirit's power to push through emotional pain and allow it to transform you into a more Christ-like person? ([44:01])
7. Reflect on Romans 8:28 and James 1:2-4. How can these verses encourage you to see your trials and suffering as opportunities for growth and transformation?
Devotional
Day 1: Emotional Pain as a Signal
Emotional pain is similar to physical pain; it signals that something within us needs attention and healing. Ignoring or denying this pain can lead to destructive consequences, both for ourselves and our relationships. Recognizing and addressing our emotional wounds is crucial for spiritual growth. Emotional pain often manifests in various forms, such as sadness, anger, or anxiety, and it can be tempting to push these feelings aside. However, just as physical pain alerts us to an injury that needs care, emotional pain serves as a signal that something within us requires attention and healing.
When we ignore or deny our emotional pain, it can fester and lead to more significant issues over time. Unaddressed emotional wounds can affect our relationships, our mental health, and our spiritual well-being. By acknowledging and addressing our emotional pain, we open the door to healing and growth. This process involves being honest with ourselves about our feelings, seeking support from trusted friends or counselors, and bringing our pain before God in prayer. [33:30]
Psalm 34:18 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you felt emotional pain. How did you respond to it? Can you take a moment today to bring that pain before God and ask for His healing and guidance?
Day 2: The Ineffectiveness of Denial, Detachment, and Drugging
Common ways people deal with emotional pain—denial, detachment, and drugging—are ultimately ineffective and harmful. These methods may provide temporary relief but fail to address the root causes of our pain, leading to greater issues over time. Denial involves refusing to acknowledge the existence of our pain, detachment means emotionally distancing ourselves from it, and drugging refers to using distractions or substances to numb the pain.
While these methods might offer short-term relief, they do not address the underlying issues causing the pain. Over time, the unresolved pain can resurface in more harmful ways, affecting our relationships, mental health, and spiritual growth. Instead of relying on these ineffective methods, we are encouraged to face our pain head-on, seek support, and bring our struggles before God. By doing so, we can begin the journey toward true healing and transformation. [36:49]
Proverbs 14:13 (ESV): "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you used denial, detachment, or distractions to cope with emotional pain. How did it impact you in the long run? What steps can you take today to address your pain more healthily?
Day 3: The Jesus Way of Dealing with Pain
Jesus provides a model for dealing with emotional pain by meeting God in it. He did not deny, detach, or drug his pain but instead went to a quiet place, shared his sorrow with close friends, and offered his feelings up to God in prayer. This practice of lament is essential for emotional and spiritual health. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus demonstrated how to face emotional pain with honesty and vulnerability.
He sought solitude to be alone with God, invited his closest friends to support him, and poured out his heart in prayer. This approach allows us to process our pain in a healthy way, bringing it before God and seeking His comfort and guidance. By following Jesus' example, we can find strength and healing in our moments of suffering, knowing that God is with us and understands our pain. [40:36]
Matthew 26:38-39 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.'"
Reflection: Think about a current struggle or pain you are facing. How can you follow Jesus' example by bringing this pain before God in prayer and seeking support from trusted friends?
Day 4: The Role of Spiritual Practices
Practices like solitude, prayer, and friendship are vital for creating the time and space needed to process our pain with God and in community. These practices help us access the Holy Spirit's guidance and refine our lives to become more like Jesus. Solitude allows us to step away from the busyness of life and focus on our relationship with God, while prayer provides a means to communicate our deepest thoughts and feelings to Him.
Friendship offers the support and encouragement we need to navigate our struggles. By incorporating these spiritual practices into our daily lives, we create an environment where healing and growth can occur. These practices help us stay connected to God and to one another, providing the strength and wisdom needed to face our pain and transform it into a source of spiritual growth. [44:01]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Consider your current spiritual practices. How can you incorporate more solitude, prayer, and meaningful friendships into your life to help you process your pain and grow spiritually?
Day 5: Transformation Through Pain
Our pain and suffering, when brought to God, can become the secret to our spiritual growth. Jesus, who understands our weaknesses, can turn our pain into something good. By meeting God in our pain, we can transform our suffering into a source of strength and growth, becoming more like Jesus. Pain and suffering are inevitable parts of life, but they do not have to be wasted experiences.
When we bring our pain before God, He can use it to refine us and draw us closer to Him. Jesus, who endured immense suffering, understands our struggles and offers us His comfort and strength. By trusting in Him and allowing Him to work in our lives, we can find purpose and growth in our pain. This transformation process helps us become more like Jesus, using our experiences to develop greater empathy, resilience, and faith. [46:02]
2 Corinthians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."
Reflection: Reflect on a painful experience from your past. How has God used that experience to shape you and help you grow? How can you use your pain to support and encourage others who are going through similar struggles?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus once said In this world you will face trouble And note he doesn't say you might face trouble He says you will face trouble And that's so true isn't it Pain and suffering and trouble Are apart of our lives every day Whether it's losing a loved one Facing an illness Dealing with a challenging relationship Emotional pain builds up on our souls over time and we carry it with us every day." [25:59] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Think about pain in your body. When we get hurt, pain is our body's way of telling us that something needs attention, needs healing and love. The pain is a signal to our mind that something is wrong in our body and in need of healing. Emotional pain is very similar. It's often a signal from our soul that some inner aspect of our soul, our inner being, needs attention, healing and love." [33:30] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The very pain that we want to deny. That we want to detach from. That we want to drug. Is the pathway to our transformation. If we. Like Jesus. Meet God. In our pain." [48:06] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "In John 14, Jesus said this, I am leaving you with a gift, peace of mind and heart, and the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. This means we don't need to fear suffering. We don't need to be afraid. It doesn't mean we have to go looking for pain and suffering. It will find us. But when it does, if we meet God in it, he can turn it all for good." [01:14:24] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Because of Jesus' incarnation. Crucifixion. Resurrection. And ascension. None of our pain and suffering is ever meaningless. It means that the very pain and suffering that can sabotage our spiritual growth. Can become the secret to our spiritual growth. Because after all. Jesus. Our risen saviour. Has the power to take. Take anything. No matter how terrible. And use it for good." [46:02] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "When we slow down and get quiet before God, all the emotional pain that we've buried in our past has a tendency to come to the surface. Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk, called it the unloading of the unconscious. He said that when we commit to the spiritual journey, the first thing the Holy Spirit does is to start removing the emotional junk that's been building up inside us. When this happens, it doesn't mean you're doing the practices wrong. In fact, you're doing them right. Because this exposing and cleaning out is part of the process of spiritual formation." [32:19] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Denying it, denying our emotional wounds, in fact, denying any part of our inner life, especially those parts of us that are in need of a healing touch from God, always has destructive consequences. It has consequences on us and on others. Secondly, people will detach from it. Some people can emotionally disconnect from their feelings, which sounds good. No pain, I don't feel pain, I don't feel sadness. The problem is if you detach from your feelings, you don't feel sadness and grief and all those things. You also don't feel the joy and the happiness and the gratitude and the wonder, because you've cut yourself off." [36:49] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If we are to become like Jesus. And be spiritually. We must first be emotionally healthy. So what does it mean to be emotionally healthy? First of all, it doesn't mean being happy all the time. Jesus, who was the most emotionally healthy person ever, had times of great sadness. But what it does mean is firstly being aware of and naming our feelings. And then secondly, that we can sit with our feelings and process them. Before God. In prayer. Without letting them cause us to act in unloving ways." [42:41] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Processing pain with someone who is older. More mature in the faith. Wiser and loving. Can be deeply healing. And practices like solitude. Prayer. Silence. Silence. And friendship. Help us to create time and space. To be able to process our pain with God. And in community. It's often a slow painful process. But it's the crucible of our formation. In other words. These practices are how we access the help. And guidance of the Holy Spirit. To refine our lives. To become like Jesus." [44:01] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If we let hurt. Anger. Bitterness. And fear. Fester in our souls. It will undermine our best intentions to become like Jesus. And worse still. Unhealthy patterns that arise from our pain and suffering. Can ruin relationships. And block our transformation. But there is good news. In the same sentence in which he tells us that. We will have trouble. He says. But be. Jesus says. Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." [45:33] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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