Why Do I Hurt?

Thank you for being with us tonight. You could have been a lot of different places but you chose to be with us and that is no small thing. So thank you for being here. If you are new here, my name is Eric Warren, I am the high school director, here. And I’m glad you are with us tonight because we are in our 2nd week of a series of talks that I am really glad we are tackling because they need to be talked about.

Intro

We are in this series called How Long Oh Lord where we hope to speak to things like fear, pain, depression, anxiety and so on. Our goal is not to overstep our bounds and say that if you follow this prescription of checklist items and medication and what not that you will be fixed. That is the role of a doctor, a counselor, and a lot of really great people trained to walk you through what that looks like. My hope here on Wednesday nights is to peel back what the Bible says about these things and also I hope that you know in fullness of heart that these things that you feel, these moments of feeling burdened, hurt, and alone… I hope that you walk away here tonight knowing that you are not alone, quite the opposite, you are loved.

Thank you for being with us tonight. You could have been a lot of different places but you chose to be with us and that is no small thing. So thank you for being here. If you are new here, my name is Eric Warren, I am the high school director, here. And I’m glad you are with us tonight because we are in our 2nd week of a series of talks that I am really glad we are tackling because they need to be talked about.

Last week we asked ourselves the question, what is pain and we walked away knowing that pain is: 1. The result of sin. 2. A sign that something is not right in the world around us. And 3. That pain reveals to us that we are made for another world. And that is what we talk about when we talk about being with Jesus, loving Jesus, having a daily walk and relationship with Jesus.

We are in this series called How Long Oh Lord where we hope to speak to things like fear, pain, depression, anxiety and so on. Our goal is not to overstep our bounds and say that if you follow this prescription of checklist items and medication and what not that you will be fixed. That is the role of a doctor, a counselor, and a lot of really great people trained to walk you through what that looks like. My hope here on Wednesday nights is to peel back what the Bible says about these things and also I hope that you know in fullness of heart that these things that you feel, these moments of feeling burdened, hurt, and alone… I hope that you walk away here tonight knowing that you are not alone, quite the opposite, you are loved.

This week we’re going to dive a bit deeper into that and have you ask the question, “Why do I hurt?”

Last week we asked ourselves the question, what is pain and we walked away knowing that pain is: 1. The result of sin. 2. A sign that something is not right in the world around us. And 3. That pain reveals to us that we are made for another world. And that is what we talk about when we talk about being with Jesus, loving Jesus, having a daily walk and relationship with Jesus.

“Why do I hurt?"

“Why do I hurt?”

This week we’re going to dive a bit deeper into that and have you ask the question, “Why do I hurt?”

But to start out on a lighter note before we get going… All of you in the room tonight undoubtedly familiar with the term, “The G.O.A.T.,” which stands for what..?

I invite you to open your Bibles to ; but to start out on a lighter note before we get going… All of you in the room tonight are undoubtedly familiar with the term, “The G.O.A.T.,” right? which stands for what..?

“Why do I hurt?”

(Pause for an answer)

I invite you to open your Bibles to ; but to start out on a lighter note before we get going… All of you in the room tonight are undoubtedly familiar with the term, “The G.O.A.T.,” right? which stands for what..?

And every once in a while someone will come along in their pursuit and totally change the game, right? Sports is an obvious example of this right? In basketball the GOAT is undoubtedly, without question… Michael Jordan. There is no other answer, case closed. Baseball has guys like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and so on. But if I asked you who the greatest of all time was in the sport of golf is… you would probably say _________.

(Pause for an answer)

This case is pretty fascinating for me because Tiger has established himself as one of the greatest, if not the greatest golfer of all time, but if your familiar at all, you know that Tiger has suffered some horrible injuries over the course of his career, how? Because of exactly what made him so great. Check this out…

This case is pretty genuinely fascinating because we’re talking about someone who has established himself as one of the greatest, if not the greatest golfer of all time, but if your familiar at all, you know that Tiger has suffered some horrible injuries over the course of his career, how? Because of exactly what made him so great. Check this out…

And every once in a while someone will come along in their pursuit and totally change the game, right? Sports is an obvious example of this right? In basketball the GOAT is undoubtedly, without question… Michael Jordan. There is no other answer, case closed. Baseball has guys like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and so on. But if I asked you who the greatest of all time was in the sport of golf is… you would probably say _________.

[slide: video]

This case is pretty genuinely fascinating because we’re talking about someone who has established himself as one of the greatest, if not the greatest golfer of all time, but if your familiar at all, you know that Tiger has suffered some horrible injuries over the course of his career, how? Because of exactly what made him so great. Check this out…

You saw the note in there that Tiger has actually changed his swing several times over his career. Which might not seem like much, but take any skill, anything that you are even passionate about, and ask yourself, what does it take to be a master at that craft? They say that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of invested time to master a skill. Which Tiger has probably done about 20x over throughout his career. But think of all the time he has spent in practice, programming his brain to swing the golf club in such a particular way, just to unprogram his brain and retrain it to master another swing.

[slide: video]

Why’d he have to do this? Because he identified these root causes in his swing that gave him things like a stress fracture in his leg and a herniated spine in order to correct them in hopes of continuing his career. That’s a long roundabout story to say that if we can identify our sources of pain, the things that make us hurt, well maybe we can solve a problem instead of just treating a symptom.

Why’d he have to do this? Because he identified these root causes in his swing that gave him things like a stress fracture in his leg and a herniated spine in order to correct them in hopes of continuing his career. That’s a long roundabout story to say that if we can identify our sources of pain, the things that make us hurt, maybe we can solve a problem instead of just treating a symptom.

You saw the note in there that Tiger has actually changed his swing several times over his career. Which might not seem like much, but take any skill, anything that you are even passionate about, and ask yourself, what does it take to be a master at that craft? They say that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of invested time to master a skill. Which Tiger has probably done about 20x over throughout his career. But think of all the time he has spent in practice, programming his brain to swing the golf club in such a particular way, just to unprogram his brain and retrain it to master another swing.

The Rub

Think of it this way. Does anyone in the room bruise super easily? Well if you didn’t know, generally speaking, women bruise easier than men. There’s a scientific explanation for that that I’m sure Meri Shelton could explain to you, but how many of you have woken up one morning and seen a bruise on your thigh or on your arm and your genuinely dumbfounded because you have no clue how it got there? I mean you’re a little disturbed thinking, man did someone come along and punch me in my sleep?

Why’d he have to do this? Because he identified these root causes in his swing that gave him things like a stress fracture in his leg and a herniated spine in order to correct them in hopes of continuing his career. That’s a long roundabout story to say that if we can identify our sources of pain, the things that make us hurt, maybe we can solve a problem instead of just treating a symptom.

Think of it this way. Does anyone in the room bruise super easily? Well if you didn’t know, generally speaking, women bruise easier than men. There’s a scientific explanation for that that I’m sure Meri Shelton could explain to you, but how many of you have woken up one morning and seen a bruise on your thigh or on your arm and your genuinely dumbfounded because you have no clue how it got there? I mean you’re a little disturbed thinking, man did someone come along and punch me in my sleep?

We’re disturbed by those unknown bumps and bruises because we don’t know where they came from. Its true of physical pain, but how much more true is it of emotional pain, spiritual pain? And if we don’t get to the bottom of what caused us that hurt, we’re probably very likely to just shove it aside, not worry about it, maybe do some cleaning up on the surface level of things, but underneath and on a heart level, the pain festers and eats away at you.

Think of it this way. Does anyone in the room bruise super easily? Well if you didn’t know, generally speaking, women bruise easier than men. There’s a scientific explanation for that that I’m sure Meri Shelton could explain to you, but how many of you have woken up one morning and seen a bruise on your thigh or on your arm and your genuinely dumbfounded because you have no clue how it got there? I mean you’re a little disturbed thinking, man did someone come along and punch me in my sleep?

We’re disturbed by those unknown bumps and bruises because we don’t know where they came from. Its true of physical pain, but how much more true is it of emotional pain, spiritual pain? And if we don’t get to the bottom of what caused us that hurt, we’re probably very likely to just shove it aside, not worry about it, maybe do some cleaning up on the surface level of things, but underneath and on a heart level, the pain festers and eats away at you.

The Bible speaks to the reality of pain… often. In passages like where Jesus himself tells his followers.

We’re disturbed by those unknown bumps and bruises because we don’t know where they came from. Its true of physical pain, but how much more true is it of emotional pain, spiritual pain? And if we don’t get to the bottom of what caused us that hurt, we’re probably very likely to just shove it aside, not worry about it, maybe do some cleaning up on the surface level of things, but underneath and on a heart level, the pain festers and eats away at you.

The Bible speaks to the reality of pain… often. In passages like where Jesus himself tells his followers.

[slide: (CSB)]

The Bible speaks to the reality of pain… often. In passages like where Jesus himself tells his followers.

[slide: (CSB)]

33 ...You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

[slide: (CSB)]

33 ...You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

What is Jesus saying here? He is looking to those who are following after him and saying, “you know what? You’re going to know pain.” That is a part of living in this fallen world.

33 ...You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

What is Jesus saying here? He is looking to those who are following after him and saying, “you know what? You’re going to know pain.” That is a part of living in this fallen world.

But once we press into what it is that causes us pain, truly why it is that we hurt, we can get to root issues and address those as opposed to just slapping a bandaid on a gaping wound.

What is Jesus saying here? He is looking to those who are following after him and saying, “you know what? You’re going to know pain.” That is a part of living in this fallen world.

But once we press into what it is that causes us pain, truly why it is that we hurt, we can get to root issues and address those as opposed to just slapping a bandaid on a gaping wound.

Last week we looked at 3 explanations for pain and tonight we’re going to push a little deeper.

But once we press into what it is that causes us pain, truly why it is that we hurt, we can get to root issues and address those as opposed to just slapping a bandaid on a gaping wound.

Last week we looked at 3 explanations for pain and tonight we’re going to push a little deeper.

One reason is for discipline sake…

Last week we looked at 3 explanations for pain and tonight we’re going to push a little deeper.

One reason is for discipline sake…

says…

One reason is for discipline sake…

says…

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says…

[slide: (CSB)

9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

[slide: (CSB)

9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.

9 Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.

If you join us on Sundays here, a couple of weeks ago I spoke briefly about one of our leaders, William Carey, and his young boy and said that surely, at some point William has told Ryder, “don’t you do that or you’re gonna get put in time out. Or don’t you do that or you’re gonna get a spankin’.” Now does a parent say such things just to prove that they are more powerful than their child? No, surely in that moment, the loving father that William is, knows that if his boy stuck his finger in an outlet, it might be bad for his health, right?

10 For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.

If you join us on Sundays here, a couple of weeks ago I spoke briefly about one of our leaders, William Carey, and his young boy and said that surely, at some point William has told Ryder, “don’t you do that or you’re gonna get put in time out. Or don’t you do that or you’re gonna get a spankin’.” Now does a parent say such things just to prove that they are more powerful than their child? No, surely in that moment, the loving father that William is, knows that if his boy stuck his finger in an outlet, it might be bad for his health, right?

It brings joy to the Father for his children to obey his call. And when we wander off that path, there very well might be real consequences.

If you join us on Sundays here, a couple of weeks ago I spoke briefly about one of our leaders, William Carey, and his young boy and said that surely, at some point William has told Ryder, “don’t you do that or you’re gonna get put in time out. Or don’t you do that or you’re gonna get a spankin’.” Now does a parent say such things just to prove that they are more powerful than their child? No, surely in that moment, the loving father that William is, knows that if his boy stuck his finger in an outlet, it might be bad for his health, right?

It brings joy to the Father for his children to obey his call. And when we wander off that path, there very well might be real consequences.

Some of the lowest times in my life have come after I’ve done something wrong. In my 29 years of life I have experienced broken relationships, I’ve treated people poorly at times. I’ve experienced guilt and shame after I knew that I had sinned. And that pain is awful, but in that moment we have to lean in and here God’s voice in our lives telling us,

It brings joy to the Father for his children to obey his call. And when we wander off that path, there very well might be real consequences.

Some of the lowest times in my life have come after I’ve done something wrong. In my 29 years of life I have experienced broken relationships, I’ve treated people poorly at times. I’ve experienced guilt and shame after I knew that I had sinned. And that pain is awful, but in that moment we have to lean in and here God’s voice in our lives telling us,

“No… come back. That’s not my best for you… come back to me. I love you… Come be with me! I pray that when we walk through these dark valleys that we see that God’s discipline is meant to bring us back into relationship with Him.

Some of the lowest times in my life have come after I’ve done something wrong. In my 29 years of life I have experienced broken relationships, I’ve treated people poorly at times. I’ve experienced guilt and shame after I knew that I had sinned. And that pain is awful, but in that moment we have to lean in and here God’s voice in our lives telling us,

“No… come back. That’s not my best for you… come back to me. I love you… Come be with me! I pray that when we walk through these dark valleys that we see that God’s discipline is meant to bring us back into relationship with Him.

[Slide: ]

“No… come back. That’s not my best for you… come back to me. I love you… Come be with me! I pray that when we walk through these dark valleys that we see that God’s discipline is meant to bring us back into relationship with Him.

[Slide: ]

…the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father does the son he delights in.

[Slide: ]

…the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father does the son he delights in.

Have you ever had a friend whose parents had just given up on them? They didn’t enforce curfew, they didn’t get upset about bad grades, and they didn’t just seem to care?

…the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father does the son he delights in.

Have you ever had a friend whose parents had just given up on them? They didn’t enforce curfew, they didn’t get upset about bad grades, and they didn’t just seem to care?

THAT’S NOT WHO GOD IS. He disciplines us. And we can respond in rebellion, or we can see the loving father he is trying to draw us back to himself.

Have you ever had a friend whose parents had just given up on them? They didn’t enforce curfew, they didn’t get upset about bad grades, and they didn’t just seem to care?

THAT’S NOT WHO GOD IS. He disciplines us. And we can respond in rebellion, or we can see the loving father he is trying to draw us back to himself.

Another reason of why we feel pain is found in . Look at why Paul says the church in Corinth had to go through pain.

THAT’S NOT WHO GOD IS. He disciplines us. And we can respond in rebellion, or we can see the loving father he is trying to draw us back to himself.

Another reason of why we feel pain is found in . Look at why Paul says the church in Corinth had to go through pain.

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Another reason of why we feel pain is found in . Look at why Paul says the church in Corinth had to go through pain.

[Slide: (CSB)]

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9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us.

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7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us.

10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

9 I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us.

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.

10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

They needed to go through pain to realize that they were wrong. Paul says that they needed to endure for a little while in order to realize that they needed to repent and turn to God for forgiveness.

10For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

They needed to go through pain to realize that they were wrong. Paul says that they needed to endure for a little while in order to realize that they needed to repent and turn to God for forgiveness.

Godly people repent. They turn away from things that are not good for them. That’s not some manipulation tactic to get Christians to toe the line and be good little boys and girls. But what God has in store for you if you would just come and draw near to him is so incredibly life-giving.

They needed to go through pain to realize that they were wrong. Paul says that they needed to endure for a little while in order to realize that they needed to repent and turn to God for forgiveness.

10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Godly people repent. They turn away from things that are not good for them. That’s not some manipulation tactic to get Christians to toe the line and be good little boys and girls. But what God has in store for you if you would just come and draw near to him is so incredibly life-giving.

I’m willing to bet that some of you have at some point or another looked up from a situation and just thought, how the heck did I get here? And the reality of that moment is, “maybe I need to reconsider my life a bit… a lot. The things I’m doing are not bringing me joy. I messed up…”

Godly people repent. They turn away from things that are not good for them. That’s not some manipulation tactic to get Christians to toe the line and be good little boys and girls. But what God has in store for you if you would just come and draw near to him is so incredibly life-giving.

Some of you might be putting on a good show...

I’m willing to bet that some of you have at some point or another looked up from a situation and just thought, how the heck did I get here? And the reality of that moment is, “maybe I need to reconsider my life a bit… a lot. The things I’m doing are not bringing me joy. I messed up…”

At that moment, AT THAT MOMENT, please know that God desires you.

I’m willing to bet that some of you have at some point or another looked up from a situation and just thought, how the heck did I get here? And the reality of that moment is, “maybe I need to reconsider my life a bit… a lot. The things I’m doing are not bringing me joy. I messed up…”

At that moment, AT THAT MOMENT, please know that God desires you.

Have you ever longed to be desired? God desires you to be with him and for him to be with you. That’s what we talk about when we pour over the gospels and the life of Jesus. Jesus came, God in human flesh, and he brought with him a ministry of compassion, meaning that he cared for the down and out and the lowly, and preached a message of repentance, telling all who would hear to turn away from the ways of the world that will leave you feeling empty and dry.

At that moment, AT THAT MOMENT, please know that God desires you.

Have you ever longed to be desired? God desires you to be with him and for him to be with you. That’s what we talk about when we pour over the gospels and the life of Jesus. Jesus came, God in human flesh, and he brought with him a ministry of compassion, meaning that he cared for the down and out and the lowly, and preached a message of repentance, telling all who would hear to turn away from the ways of the world that will leave you feeling empty and dry.

Jesus Said...

Have you ever longed to be desired? God desires you to be with him and for him to be with you. That’s what we talk about when we pour over the gospels and the life of Jesus. Jesus came, God in human flesh, and he brought with him a ministry of compassion, meaning that he cared for the down and out and the lowly, and preached a message of repentance, telling all who would hear to turn away from the ways of the world that will leave you feeling empty and dry.

Jesus Said...

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Jesus Said...

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10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

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10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

These are not the words of someone who wants to roast you over the flames of hell out of some sick sense of pleasure, but a savior who is looking to you and saying…

10 A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.

[Slide: (CSB)]

Put away those awful things you think bring you life, take me instead! Don’t fall for that cheap counterfeit! Be with me!

These are not the words of someone who wants to roast you over the flames of hell out of some sick sense of pleasure, but a savior who is looking to you and saying…

7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

But pain and hurt is more than just what we bring upon ourselves with our actions and decisions. I think the hardest type of pain in a Christian’s life is pain that we can’t explain. We didn’t do anything wrong. God isn’t punishing us, but its undoubted that he is allowing us to go through something unpleasant, and maybe just flat out awful. Paul understood this better than anyone when he said,

Put away those awful things you think bring you life, take me instead! Don’t fall for that cheap counterfeit! Be with me!

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.

[Slide: (CSB)]

But pain and hurt is more than just what we bring upon ourselves with our actions and decisions. I think the hardest type of pain in a Christian’s life is pain that we can’t explain. We didn’t do anything wrong. God isn’t punishing us, but its undoubted that he is allowing us to go through something unpleasant, and maybe just flat out awful. Paul understood this better than anyone when he said,

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

...so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt (or boast, or be prideful of) myself.

[Slide: (CSB)]

10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.

...so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt (or boast, or be prideful of) myself.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me.

10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

He says his pain is. messenger from Satan that is constantly tormenting him. Its almost like Satan found a way to constantly remind Paul how weak he was. That wasn’t a punishment or God trying to get his attention — it was the enemy attacking him.

10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul knew that God was more powerful than Satan, so he prayed and asked God to take away his pain. God said no.

He says his pain is. messenger from Satan that is constantly tormenting him. Its almost like Satan found a way to constantly remind Paul how weak he was. That wasn’t a punishment or God trying to get his attention — it was the enemy attacking him.

So he prayed again. And God said no. He prayed a third time. And God said no.

Paul knew that God was more powerful than Satan, so he prayed and asked God to take away his pain. God said no.

God allowed Paul to be in pain so that Paul would rely on God’s strength instead of his own. So what do we do when we are in pain because of no fault of our own? We do as Paul did. We pray. We ask God to remove our pain and to heal us, yes.

So he prayed again. And God said no. He prayed a third time. And God said no.

But if he says no, like he did with Paul, our prayer should become, “God use my pain.” Paul said that god used his pain to keep him humble and to remind him to depend on God. That is what our pain should cause us to do too.

God allowed Paul to be in pain so that Paul would rely on God’s strength instead of his own. So what do we do when we are in pain because of no fault of our own? We do as Paul did. We pray. We ask God to remove our pain and to heal us, yes.

Pain has a way of getting our attention, letting us know when we mess up, letting us know when things are not as they should be, it lets us remember to lean on His strength and not our own.

But if he says no, like he did with Paul, our prayer should become, “God use my pain.” Paul said that god used his pain to keep him humble and to remind him to depend on God. That is what our pain should cause us to do too.

C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” You might be in the midst of one one those awakening moments, of finally snapping out of it and asking yourself, “how did I get here?”

Pain has a way of getting our attention, letting us know when we mess up, letting us know when things are not as they should be, it lets us remember to lean on His strength and not our own.

What is God telling you in your pain?

C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” You might be in the midst of one one those awakening moments, of finally snapping out of it and asking yourself, “how did I get here?”

Some of you might be putting on a good show...

What is God telling you in your pain? I hope that you hear the tender voice of our God in heaven telling you, it doesn’t have to be like this.

Some of you might be putting on a good show… Some of you come in here week in and week out. You come in and cut up and act like everything is alright. If that is you and you are simply tired of all the effort it takes to make everyone think you got it together.

Lay it down. That burden is not yours to carry anymore. It was buried in a tomb and when the savior of the world rose up 3 days later… it didn’t follow him out.

Your pain may be telling you, I can’t take it anymore. Let me tell you, none of us have it all together in here. But in here you are amongst God’s people who love you and care for you deeply.

If you are in need of someone to hug you near, pray for you, and just sit and be broken with you, you come and find me after we wrap up, find a leader or a trusted friend, do whatever it is that you need to do and know that there’s a God in Heaven who sees you in the midst of all your mess and says,

"I love you… I died for you…”

Heavenly Father,

We come to you in this heavy moment admitting that sin in our lives, sin that we’ve committed, sin that has been committed against us, has eaten away at our hearts.

But you have told us that what you offer us is not destruction or burden, but Lord you have given us life, and life to the full.

With your heads bowed and your eyes closed, take this moment, and if you don’t have any other opportunity this week, you have right now. Examine your life… Where do you need God’s strength to intervene? Your leaders and myself we are here for you and we wait for you as you come, but please know that Jesus welcomes you in, just as you are.

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