Is There A Purpose for My Pain?

Yesterday, we were introduced to Paul and Jeremiah – two men called by God who faced difficulty on their journeys. Today, we are taking a deeper look into the response and outlook of both Paul and Jeremiah. As we unpack more of God’s response to Jeremiah, we will see how the strength to prevail is not found in our own power.

Like a distance runner set out on their first big race, Jeremiah was oxygen-depleted, wondering how he could gather enough air to complete the race set out before him. He was out of air, out of options, out of “enough” to continue on.

You don’t have to be in a literal race to understand that feeling. We've all felt frustrated in the will of God. Not because of sin or trials we chose, but because we have found ourselves suffering in God's plan while obeying God's plan. 

That is why, at face value, God’s answer to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 12:5 seems cruel. 

But God wasn’t diminishing Jeremiah’s pain. He was putting it in perspective. Jeremiah could not accomplish what God had set before him on his own. 

When did you find out you didn’t have enough in your own flesh to accomplish something lasting?

The divorce of your parents?

Losing your job?

The rejection letter from the school of your dreams?

Watching someone you love walk away? 

In our own strength, we can’t accomplish anything powerful or lasting. Our first wind is never enough. 

Jeremiah was never to go out and establish his own kingdom in his own power, but rather to build God’s kingdom, centered around the Name Above Every Name. 

The only way to your destiny is through difficulty and disappointment. 

Jeremiah needed to train for the trial he was not yet in, building endurance for the difficulty ahead. 

Paul did this well. Even after being stoned, even when facing imprisonment, Paul continued to press on for the sake of the Gospel. There are two sides to every chain. At face value, Paul’s chains locked him in prison, but they also became a platform to proclaim the Gospel. Look at Philippians 4:12: "All God's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household."

Because God put Paul in prison, people in Ceasar’s household came to faith. Just like He saved Israel by putting Joseph into a pit, don’t be fooled by face value. What you believe is setting you back may, in fact, be setting you up for God to be known to the world around you. 

What dream has God placed in your heart? And how might be accomplish it in a roundabout way that will involve your suffering?