by Joanie Butman
Following last week’s discussion about determining one’s purpose in life, I received a timely devotion entitled, Your Pain Reveals God’s Purpose.* In it Rick Warren explains why I’ve always considered my trouble with tribbles a blessing not a curse.
God never wastes a hurt! Your pain often reveals God’s purpose for you. If you’ve gone through a hurt, he wants you to help other people going through that same hurt. He wants you to share your story with them. God can use the problems in your life to give you a ministry to others.
Isn’t this concept the basis of any support group or 12-step program? We are meant to use our pain to help others because only those that know pain can truly be with others in pain. Pain and suffering are universal connectors that break down all boundaries creating deep, lasting bonds.
Over the course of my life, my mother had a standard response to many difficult situations, “Offer it up.” It was a common Catholic admonition. In my youth, I didn’t appreciate her message. I remember thinking, “Gee, thanks, Mom. I feel so much better now.” As with many things she said when I was growing up, I flippantly dismissed her wisdom because, “What could she possibly know?” I’m glad she’s lived long enough to witness that I finally understand the power of her statement and the strength it provides to endure. I can choose to offer my pain to be used for His purposes.
Whatever you’re going through, know that God can use your suffering to bless others. How we suffer is often our greatest testimony to His presence in our life. It doesn’t ease our pain but gives meaning to our pain. It’s called redemptive suffering. What an excellent concept to ponder during Lent, leading up to the greatest example of redemptive suffering the world has ever known.
I can’t tell you how many opportunities my journey with cancer has given me to share God’s light and love with others. I’ve been tempted for far too long to overthink my purpose, often missing it in the process. Ironically, my Bible Study assignment last week pointed out the obvious, “Ultimately, reflecting God’s glory is the essential purpose for all creation, including humans, who have the capacity to choose otherwise.” Our ability to choose is our greatest freedom and privilege. How do you choose to reflect God’s glory?
*Rick Warren, Open Doors, page 64.