When Pain Becomes Favor

Greetings to all. This weekend let's not let the pain we've experienced break us.

If we keep seeing pain as rejection, punishment, or abandonment, we might miss seeing God's hand at work. Pain is a natural part of life, and sometimes our wounds run deep. Still, these experiences can teach us valuable lessons. God does not take joy in our pain, but He can use it and give us His favor in return. When God allows us to be broken, He is preparing us for something greater.

1 Peter 2:19–20 (GW)

19God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering.

20What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you. 

Lesson: Find purpose in suffering. No matter if our pain is physical, mental, or emotional, we can trust that God will exchange our pain for His favor.