2017 by Clayton King. It was kind of funny now because my friends thought it was an April fools joke and they kept waiting for me to say "April fools" then they realized it was true and they needed to help me. Beautiful People Dont Just Happen reads like a field guide that can help you: Dare to embrace the contentment, hope, and fullness God wants for youoffered to all who will receive it. Empty as our sufferings may seem in this world, they are working they are producing for us glory in the life to come, and glory so great that not even the apostle Paul can grab enough human language to do it justice. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand Gods ability to leverage the suffering in your life for greater things. Article Images Copyright , Finding Rest, Relief, and Recovery from Anxiety, How to Find Biblical Joy When You Battle Anxiety, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. The night manager and some other guards went to our rooms with us one by one and guarded us while we quickly packed up our stuff and headed to the airport in a taxi that we called, the resort kept trying to help us and I was like no thank you, I didn't trust ANYONE. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. Paul's letter to the Philippians has some of the "greatest hits" verses of the New Testament: "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ." (Philippians 1:6) "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21) "I can do all things through him who strengthens me . "On the other hand, passion dissipates when you lack a purpose.". Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. W "I did something ugly" becomes "I am ugly.". The first thing was night terrors. Heavenly Father, how I praise and thank You that I have been called out of darkness into Your glorious light, by faith in Christ's finished work at Calvary which alone paid for my sins. Jesus himself promised that we would do even greater works than he did, simply meaning that billions of Christians can accomplish unimaginable good in this world for the glory of God when we understand that God wants to use us in his plan. All rights reserved. Don't let a bad experience or a near death incident stop you from living the life that god intended you to live. I kept refusing it. I kept telling myself I was not going to die in Mexico, I fell several times and kept getting up and running. In 25 years of pastoral ministry, Scott Sauls has come alongside countless individuals and communities through weary seasons and circumstances. Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this . I ran out as fast as I could, I got to the end of the building and saw a huge concrete wall with bars along the top. I was fighting them and trying to get someone to help me. When your on a vacation Don't EVER leave a resort alone! Our suffering has the power to change those who are watching us suffer. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, Read full chapter. Philippians 4:5b-7 The Lord is near. Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. So we enjoyed the rest of our day went back to our resort to get ready. His work has been featured in publications including Christianity Today, Relevant, Qideas, Propel Women, He Reads Truth, Leadership Magazine, The Gospel Coalition, Table Talk, and Made to Flourish. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. In the midst of a challenging feat we might wonder if it's appropriate to claim Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.". And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Freedom is what God wants for us. As most of you that follow me know that I travel all the time and my life was completely changed 2 years ago with a vehicle to allow me to create memories with my family and help others do the same. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. I begged them to let me use there phone to call my resort as my phone had died at this point. My mind was racing and my heart was pounding out of my chest, I couldn't hardly talk because I had cotton mouth so bad and it was getting worse. Thank GOD she didn't see my text YET! I started to look around and I saw a pile of wood that was stacked up along another fence and so I ran to the pile of wood and some how missed all the nails that were sticking out of the wood and it got me close enough to the top so that I could jump up on top of the concrete and jump over the metal railing at the top. There was an island in between us, so he had to drive to the end and turn around. Personal blog. Meanwhile she called the front desk and let them know what room I was in, and he told me that he was not going to let me jump off his patio in front of his two small children. N Please don't give up hope, God has so much more for your life! (See Psalm 23:6. May I rejoice in the trials I am called upon to face in this fleeting life, knowing that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be one day be revealed in me. With each subsequent pushup on that first day, you feel like you are getting weaker. We headed out to the airport on Thursday, March 30, 2017 for an adventure. I will say to the Lord, My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. This is not an isolated case wherein this man's pain served the purpose of glorifying God. Always be aware of your surroundings and what is going on around you when your in strange place, because you never know what can help you save your life, or help someone else help you save your life, by your actions. God doesnt create these things to hurt you. For to you it has been granted for Christs sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Finally they caught me and were dragging me to the front of the resort. Even death is the doorway into the presence of God Who Himself has promised to finish the good work that He began in us the moment we came to faith in Christ Jesus our Saviour, and were born into His heavenly family. I looked across the airport to see the young couple and their small children, which were the same people who's room I pushed my way into just hours before, walking through the airport! Your Pain Has a Purpose 10 months ago 9 min read By Scott Sauls Regret from the past dies hard for us. Davey BlackburnFounder of Nothing is Wasted Ministries, CONTENTPodcastBlog42-Day DevotionalSpeakingCurated Pathways, STOREProducts & ServicesPrivacy PolicyReturn PolicyTerms of Service, COMMUNITY ACCESSCommunityCommunity+Community CollectiveStories, COACHINGPain to Purpose CourseCertified Coaching, FOR CHURCHESLocal Church Facilitator HubPTP Sermon Series. But take heart; I have overcome the world.. Find hope in how God is drawn toward you, not appalled by you, in your sin and sorrow. It's natural to question God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. "I said something mean" becomes "I am mean.". Verse of the Day , Philippians 1:29 Treasury of Scripture Knowing. I knew that "Juan" had connections and just wanted to be out of Mexico with my family safe and sound and now the only thing I could do to help others is to tell my story. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:411). Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. He and his wife, Sharie, have two sons and live in South Carolina. That is so powerful and God clearly held you safely. R And how does he use us, exactly? I kept asking for water and the 3 guards that dragged me kept offering me the same kind of water that "Juan" did, already opened and half way gone and cloudy. At first glance, the answer seems simply . Bless his heart because he jumped up, called a cab, and came to the resort I was at. I got up and started running again and yelled to them to "leave me alone". Does this mean it is Gods will for me as a Christian to suffer? In this world you will have trouble. Guilt (the regrettable things we have done) can so easily turn into toxic shame (the regrettable worms that we are) as we appraise our own worth. TopicalBible His approach is never punitive and always instructive, even surgical. God is with you. When I went out to apologize for my actions, I realized "Juan" had left. He was dressed very nice and treated us all like loyalty. Knowing your purpose motivates your life. . So he said fine, but call her on speakerso I called and she answered and she hadn't seen my text which again was another blessing as he would then know I had texted her for help. All rights reserved. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Cite this page: Editor: Stephen Smith. Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." . Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father (John 14:12). CEO Queen Bee Travels LLC, Global Expansion, World Changer/Hope Dealer. God is in control of the universe. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. This has been the biggest blessing in my life and everything was falling into place in my life. We arrived at the airport on April 1st at 9 am. S The air space is unlimited and free. I can do all things, Paul wrote, through [Christ] who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:1013). When it comes to suffering, sometimes the way we overcome is to simply, humbly, and faithfully endure. For 2 years my life was like living a dream I had everything I could ever imagine. Romans 8:26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We all carry regret, hurt, and fear. The one whom the Bible calls the accuser throws it in our faces, keeping memories about the worst things weve done so alive that in our minds, they start to define us. And Paul considers that the sufferings, sadness, trials, and tribulations of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us. Bible Rank: 96. Therefore, God does not orchestrate purposeless suffering in your life but rather, on the contrary, redeems your suffering, giving you the grace to endure it for the purpose of serving as a witness to the power of the gospel. He said what if I get them, I told him they would not go without me being there. You may feel that you're going through it alone. J At this point I started to get really excited and was on cloud 9 that I was given this opportunity. I didnt want to hear that my pain had a mysterious purpose, much less that God was somehow behind it. You couldnt escape it if you tried because as sure as his tomb is empty, the goodness and mercy of Christ will follow you all the days of your life. Learn what the Bible calls the secret of being content in every circumstance. My friend was crying and kept telling me that she was not going to let that happen and that she was going to figure it out. It was not only Jesus Who explained that the Christian life would entail much suffering but also Peter, James, and the apostle Paul. They said they were there to take me back to my resort, I was like HELL no, there is no way I am getting in that vehicle. Winning is fun but losing is hard. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Joni, who was paralyzed in a diving accident at the age of 17, has this to say about her suffering over the decades: There are a lot of people who think I'm a strong person, and I'm not. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. He told them to leave and so they all left. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I was too, and I thought he is a good looking man, he brought me and my family down here, we are both single adults, why not! Things are breaking down here on earth. And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, You shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; To the woman he said, I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. My favorite Bible verses about finding Purpose in Pain. Used with permission. Blog, A Matthew 7:24-25Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. Q For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. The more the soul is worked and stretched to its limits, the more able it becomes to endure suffering and enjoy God all at once. I thought she worked for the resort but found out later she was just a guest that heard me screaming and she felt compelled to help me because she also was there with her kids on vacation and what if what I was yelling was true. He said he knew nothing and tried to get my son to go with him to find me. I know the wearying effects of holding a grudge, living in denial, nursing toxic shame, and injuring people that I love. 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