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So what do people get for all of their hard work and struggles on Earth? Their lives are filled with pain, and their work is filled with grief. Even at night their minds don't rest. It doesn't make sense at all! Ecclesiastes 2:22-23

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Have you gone through all of this for nothing? Is it all really for nothing? Galatians 3:4 (CEV)

5 WAYS TO BENEFIT FROM ANY KIND OF PAIN

1.  USE MY PAIN TO DRAW CLOSER TO GOD IN WORSHIP

We were crushed and overwhelmed … and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us … and he did help us! 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (LB)

I am glad … not because it (your troubles) hurt you but because the pain turned you to God. 2 Corinthians 7:9 (LB)

ACTION PLAN: Moments of pain are moments to spend with God. If you are in pain right now, find a solitary place to be alone with him and then give him that hurt. Ask him how he is using it in your life. Ask him, above all, to use it to bring you closer to him in worship.

2.  USE MY PAIN TODRAW CLOSER TO OTHERS IN FELLOWSHIP

By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.     Galatians 6:2 (NCV)

ACTION PLAN: Think about your level of sharing among close friends or in your small group. If you have not been open about the pain that you have experienced or are experiencing, consider the reason behind that. Risk exposure of yourself by allowing your close friends to know you on a deeper level and so they can pray for you.

3.  USE MY PAIN TO GROW MORE LIKE JESUS IN DISCIPLESHIP

Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. Proverbs 20:30 (TEV)

So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. Hebrews 5:8 (NLT)

Suffering made Jesus perfect, and now he can save forever all who obey him. Hebrews 5:9 (CEV)

Now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. 2 Corinthians 7:11 (MSG)

Paul's Testimony of Pain:
2 Corinthians 11:23-28 and 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, our spiritual being is renewed day after day. And these temporary troubles we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (TEV)

4.  USE MY PAIN TOBE MORE SENSITIVE IN SERVING OTHERS

God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. Then, when others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. So when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit and salvation! For when God comforts us, it is so that we, in turn, can be an encouragement to you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer.   2 Corinthians 1:4-6 (NLT)

5.  USE MY PAIN TO WITNESS TO THE WORLD

(Paul in Prison) I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. Philippians 1:12 (NLT)

In everything we do we try to show that we are true servants of God. We patiently endure suffering and hardship and trouble of every kind. 2 Corinthians 6:4 (LB)

ACTION PLAN: Homework (from message): Don't waste your pain! In a quiet place, write down the four most painful experiences in your life using part one of this series "How God Can Use Pain in My Life" (5 Ways) and this message. Use these 10 factors as a checklist to write down how God used your pain to grow you, and the lessons you learned. Share it with the next generation.