Stopped By Pain
Every Tuesday evening I have to opportunity to gather with a group of amazing men. Outwardly there is nothing extraordinary about these guys. But on the inside, something miraculous is happening.
We are tackling deep spiritual issues and using Scripture as our guide. Sometimes the conversations are difficult. The reason for the difficulty is because the topics often touch upon sources of lifelong wounds.
Most of these men I meet with and share life with have been consumed by addictions and violence most of their lives. They are transitioning from lives held in chains to a life of freedom in Jesus.
Recently, we were discussing Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 and the idea of pain that will turn us around. We have all been there in some way before. You know what I am talking about? A hurt or wrong that just stops you dead in your tracks and you struggle with how to process and deal with it.
Maybe it would be better said like this: when we choose to acknowledge something hurtful in our lives and how much it hurts us, then we are stopped. At that point we have a choice. The choice is simple. Which direction do we turn?
My hope is that you will turn to Jesus. And in doing so, set your path on a completely new direction. A direction focused upon grace, mercy and love. This path, the Jesus path, is full of healing and forgiveness.
As I sat and listened to this group of guys share how Paul’s words had challenged them, I was floored by the power of God. It would be so easy for these guys to say they are “justified” in their behavior because of past wounds.
You may be reading this thinking, “This guy has no idea what I have lived through!” Or “If that terrible thing hadn’t happened to me…”
The idea here is to not allow our pain to define us, but allow our pain to push us closer to Jesus. And then allow Jesus to define us! In Colossians 3, Paul encourages us to do just that - to be defined by Jesus.
My prayer for you today is that you will turn to Jesus in your pain. No matter how big or small the hurt is, you do not have to carry it! You can give it to Jesus!