There Is Purpose In Pain
By Stovall Weems
There are basically two environments for growth in your walk with God: devotion and pain.
We grow in our relationship with God through the Word, prayer and worship, but we also grow through learning to trust God in the difficult and painful seasons of our life. Kerri and I have been through countless ministry tears, battles, and disappointments. But it has been in those times that we have seen and experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God in a much deeper way. The Bible says….
James 1:2-4 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
God allows us to walk through difficult seasons and circumstances so that, through the pain, we can grow. Grow in endurance, character and in our understanding of and commitment to Christ.
If you’re going through a trial right now, make the decision to trust God and rejoice that He can, and will, care for and sustain you. Through this difficult season, use the trial to make you strong in Jesus Christ, and Him alone.
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This is soooooo true. I am going through some stuff right now, but I count it all joy. These trials that I am going through right now will only draw me closer and make me stronger in the Lord. Go God!!!!!!
Not gonna say anything except right on!
Pastor Stovall.
As usual you come though with an AWESOME word. Tiff and I have been through a lot this past year which has certainly revealed as to just how much he will provide if we just “trust” in him. This has always been difficult for me due to my background, but I am learning. This couldn’t have come at a better time.
Thank you for Celebration Church and may God continue to show favor over you.
Ben Croft
I’ve learned this the hard way. But I have learned that the pain forces me to move forward and take action. The painful situation forces me out of indifference, fear, laziness, and indecision. I would say that I have been at my best during times of pain.
Great message, Pastor.
“There are basically two environments for growth in your walk with God: devotion and pain.”
Great insight!
Pastor Stovall,
Your televised service reached out to us today. It is a true blessing when you can relate to experiences such as your account of the learning/processing hurdles you, and your family endured. The victory Stovie and many others have today is God’s will I know. The painful story of Joshua while a mystery of “Why”, was presented so well with your dedication of the special “Joshua’s Room” at our new building for those with special needs like Joshua. We’ve had a touch of LD, processing deficiencies with our grown children when they were younger.
Thank you so much for this message. If only the schools could hear it. (maybe they could).
Respectfully,
“Chuck” and family
Cheri,
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for you and your family. I know the Holy Spirit will comfort and strengthen you and your family. I can tell from your post that you are already experiencing God’s love in this painful time. Your father is in a much better place. Thank you for your post.
I was so blessed to read your blog. I lost my father Friday. His service was today, and the whole family is traveling to Virginia to bury him tomorrow. God had really done several miraculous things in the last month as he battled diabetes. My father was able to witness to non-believers in the hospital, and through his ailing health, remind his family that total dependance on God is the only way to live. In this difficult time, my family can count on God and God alone to sustain us. We truly love the promises He has for us and fully believe that this season of winter (thanks Pastor Chris) will only strengthen our relationship with Him. Thanks Pastor Stovall and Pastor Kerri
No pain, No gain!
John 15:20
It’s the truth…..With everything we are going through with Riley right now I have never felt as loved by God as I do now…..In our suffering if we keep our hearts soft and allow God to work in them he will turn our sorrow in to joy.
I welcome the word of encouragement today!
As always right on time Pastor Stovall…
Pastor, that is TRUTH! As our family has made the decision to trust God in difficult circumstances He has never failed to fill us with His hope, peace, love and joy. While there is certainly pain and difficulties along the way. It is amazing what we can walk through when we place our full trust in God.