Pain Can Point You Toward Your Purpose
By Rick Warren
"God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes." Job 36:15 (GNT)
Even when you’re not aware of it, God is directing your life. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps" (GW).
God likes to direct you through his Word. When we read and study the Bible regularly, that's often all he needs. But many of us don't spend enough time reading God's Word, so another way he’ll guide and direct us is through pain.
Job 36:15 says, "God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes" (GNT).
Have you ever thought about why horse riders put a bit in a horse's mouth? It’s not for the horse's comfort. The rider uses discomfort to point the horse in a different direction.
In the same way, pain guides and directs you and often turns you in a new direction.
When King David realized that God was using the pain in his life to point him in the direction God wanted him to go, David was actually grateful for his pain: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees” (Psalm 119:71 NLT).
C. S. Lewis once said that God whispers to us in our pleasure but shouts to us in our pain. Pain is God's megaphone. It never leaves you where it found you. No matter how bad the pain is or where it came from, God can use it to point you toward your purpose.
Paul said to the believers at Corinth who were experiencing some discomfort and pain, "Now I am glad . . . not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways" (2 Corinthians 7:9 NLT).
You don’t have to be glad that you’re experiencing pain. But you can ask God to use your pain to guide you in the right direction and thank him for all the ways he will provide for you.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Help Share the Good News of Jesus with the World!
Right now, billions of people around the world still need to hear about the work Jesus accomplished for them on the cross. And through your gift below, you can help reach them!
As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s The Seven Greatest Words of Love Bible study*, which explores Jesus’ final words on the cross and uncovers how they hold the key to finding true joy and fulfillment in your life, career, and relationships.
Request your copy when you give today—and thank you for your partnership!
*Video is available in DVD or streaming formats. The workbook will be mailed to you.
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
