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God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. So, when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your benefit…that we can be an encouragement to you. 2 Corinthians 1:4, 6 (NLT)

YOUR PAINFUL EXPERIENCES WILL NOT BE WASTED
IF YOU'LL SHARE FOUR THINGS

1.   SHARE How PAIN GOT MY ATTENTION

Hard times and trouble are God's way of getting our attention!  Job 36:15 (CEV)

God gets them to listen through their pain.  Job 36:15b (NCV)

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

when sharing ABOUT YOUR PAIN

• Be open ABOUT My FEELINGS
  
  We have spoken frankly to you; we have opened our hearts wide. 2 Corinthians 6:11b (TEV)

• BE humble about my FAULTS
  
  Each of us must bear the faults and burdens of his own. For none of us is perfect! Galatians 6:5 (TLB)

• Be frank about my FAILURES
  
  (Paul) Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15b (NIV)

• Be honest about my FRUSTRATIONS
  
  I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out…I keep on doing the evil I don't want to do.    Romans 7:18–19

• Be candid about my FEARS
  
  I do admit that I have fears that when I come you'll disappoint me and I'll disappoint you, and in frustration with each other everything will fall to pieces… 2 Corinthians 12:20 (Mes)

ACTION PLAN: Step one – Think about yourself and the people in your life. If there are those that are experiencing the same type of pain that you've gone through, consider how you might help them by sharing your story. To prepare to share your experience, first record what God used to get your attention. What kind of pain did you experience? Was it physical, emotional, relational, financial, or another kind? Determine in your heart to be open, humble, frank, honest, and candid about your feelings, faults, failures, frustrations, and fears.

2.   SHARE WHAT I've LEARNED FROM MY PAIN

God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes. Job 36:15 (TEV)

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

• I learned TO DEPEND MORE ON GOD
  
  We were really crushed and overwhelmed…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 1:8b–10 (TLB)

• I LEARNED TO TRUST & obey GOD'S WORD
  
  I used to wander off…but now I closely follow your Word. Psalm 119:67 (NLT)
  
  …it was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws.        Psalm 119:71 (TLB)

• I LEARNED I NEED OTHER PEOPLE
  
  Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

ACTION PLAN: Step two – What did you learn from your pain? Remembering that God never wastes a hurt, think through what came about because of the pain you experienced. Using the suggestions from above as a start, write down what you learned.

3.   SHARE HOW GOD IS BRINGING GOOD OUT OF MY PAIN

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)

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…    Romans 8:28 (NLT)

[They] intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good.  Genesis 50:20

ACTION PLAN: Step three – Your experience with pain may be in the past, or something that you're dealing with right now. Sometimes it's hard to perceive, so ask the Holy Spirit for the eyes to be able to see the good that has come or is coming as a result of what you've gone through and add that to your story.

4.   SHARE HOW JESUS GAVE ME HOPE IN MY PAIN

Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the trouble we suffered in Asia. We had great burdens there that were beyond our own strength. We even gave up hope of living. Truly, in our own hearts we believed we would die. But this happened so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God, who raises people from the dead. God saved us from great dangers of death, and he will continue to save us. We have put our HOPE in him, and he will save us again. 2 Corinthians 1:8–10 (NCV)

(GOD): When you call to me, I will answer you. I will be with you when you are in trouble. I will save you and honor you.      Psalm 91:15 (GW)

ACTION PLAN: Step four – You are a living example with a story to tell of how God can use pain. Think again about the ones you know that are now experiencing the same type of pain that you've endured. Your story can be the very thing God uses to bring them hope. Ask God to show you the right time for you to share your story honestly and humbly with them.