To sum up a theme of the course, if pain is a gift God gives, then it has a purpose that we need to seek if we are to move on with our lives. If we ignore our pain or try to numb it, we are choosing to live out of alignment with God’s purpose. We are on a path to dysfunction.
And so I’ve posed the question: What was the purpose for your pain? Have you asked your pain what it was there to teach you?
What is God’s big picture perspective on your pain? Was he blind to the trauma you endured? Or did he perhaps just not care? What would it look like to ask God, where he was when your suffering was greatest? Or to ask why he let your suffering go on so long?
These are tough questions to ask. In fact, they may be the kind of questions that you need help asking. Really, if we are to ask questions, we should be prepared for tears. And having someone to hold our hand and help us pray through the tears is probably a good idea.
If you’re brave enough, there are ministries that will help you have these conversations with God. Sozo, Ransomed Heart, and theophostic prayer have all helped walk people out of pain and into healing for years. If you feel stuck in some ways, I recommend you consider such help. You can only go so far on your own (or with a virtual group like this) sometime.
A conversation with God
I am what I consider to be, “still under construction”. Coming to terms and facing my pain is still new to me. Having completed this course back in November, I have really learned to embrace the pain and ask God for help.
Back when i started this course, and people in my group were sharing their painful stories, I often found myself in question as to why I was taking this. I mean my pain paled in comparison. I felt like an idiot at first…I mean some of my group have deep deep pain. My awkwardness as a child to feeling of not belonging in my family, to the pain of my daughter, all seemed so trivial.
I had a conversation with Seth and he gave me some great wisdom. He also told me to go into a listening prayer about it.
I asked God…why am I here with these awesome people, who have some horrible situations. How can I even speak about my situations without offending them?
What I learned from listening, then getting affirmation, is that we all suffer pain, and its real and it our own. We can’t spend time comparing ourselves to others when it comes to all parts of life and that includes pain. My pain is as painful to me as the next persons is to them. Once I learned that concept and God reassured me I was right where He wanted me.
Application
1. In prayer, ask the Lord to show you the purpose behind some of the greatest pain you endured. Wait for his response. Write it down.
2. Consider looking into a local healing prayer ministry.
