Weaponized: Purpose in Pain
Last month we covered forgiveness and the fact that no one gets away with anything. We’re all held accountable. This begs the question… Does this mean that everyone going through a hard time is paying for past sins? No, not at all. Remember the disciples asked the same question in John 9:1-3
1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?”
3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.
It is possible to go through something simply because God wants to work through your life. Let’s be honest, life is hard. People are struggling with a variety of issues. If you have a perfect life, you’re kinda useless to the Kingdom. In order for God to use you, you need to be given the right tools. You first have to be weaponized.
Making a weapon
Now here’s the thing, in order for a weapon to be formed, you first have to extract what is necessary from the earth. It has to be first torn to pieces, such as the process of making a weapon. The pain you have to go through is unbearable, like the deepest parts of your being are ripped out of you.
Read: Reclaiming Our Lost Ax Head
However, what is torn out of you is raw and unrefined. It has to be washed and sifted before it can be worked with. Waves of emotions wash over you as you try to make sense of what happened, there are days when the tide is low and you’re able to function and there are days that submerge you and almost drown you so that worth can be separated from what is worthless.
You are handed additional elements to strengthen you and shape you. Then this combination of experience, heartache, and knowledge is purified by fire. It’s hard to maintain your composure when the situation consumes you, it eats away at you, melting you into a puddle. Things may seem like they are cooling off and then you get beaten and bruised until you start to take shape. Such is necessary for a weapon to be forged, to turn what is useless into what is useful.
The purpose behind all this pain
I never fully understood the purpose behind pain until I faced problems that overwhelmed me. That wrapped around me so tight that I felt like I couldn’t escape or even breathe.
It was then that God sent people to my aid. They had been prepared for that very moment. Their testimony was the weapon that cut away at my problems and freed me. And here’s the thing, it wasn’t an eloquently delivered speech, all they had was their life. Their pain was a thing of the past and I understood that although things are spiraling out of control, this is merely a season, not a life sentence. That was the hope I held on to when things went from bad to worse.
And that’s the thing with free will, despite our best efforts, we could suffer the consequences of another’s decisions. It isn’t your fault, neither is it God’s fault. However, we do have a promise in Roman’s 8:28:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
It’s a source of comfort that no matter what goes wrong… God will work it into his plan for your life. Thank goodness for that because things can go sideways in the blink of an eye.
Becoming a weapon
Let’s be honest about it… Trials suck! However, we need to realize that within the problem, God sees an opportunity. God has the opportunity to entrust you with this problem that people are facing. Listen, anyone can look at a situation and advise you logically. However, the world isn’t purely logical. Our emotions play a huge role in our decisions.
The only time you can truly help people is when you’ve been through it. You understand the logic as well as the emotion. You know exactly how they feel and that makes you qualified to advise them. Being entrusted with a problem is a huge honor. How can you be mad at your transgressor when instead of burying you, they gave you a qualification, a platform, and a ministry. You should be thanking them.
If you’re interested in some examples, might I introduce you to a few weaponized individuals:
- A weapon against debt, Dave Ramsey.
- A weapon against disease, Jordan S. Rubin.
- A weapon against abortion, Gianna Jessen.
- A weapon against adultery, yours truly.
Going forward, we will not nurture a victim mentality. We will see our current troubles as a season. We will endure it, we will learn from it and we will empower others when their season comes. Until next time.
My goal is to emulate Jesus and follow his example but if all else fails, I’ll be like David. A writer, a man after God’s own heart and someone not to be trifled with.
I believe in discussing life in a candid (unfiltered), no holds barred manner that stimulates personal growth.
I spend my spare time creating content that is informative, entertaining and that will help others in their personal development.
The Hustle is a project that focuses on career and purpose.
I also have a cooking vlog called Passing it on which is on Facebook and YouTube.
In matters of faith, I contribute to this ministry.
