The Purpose of Pain

The greatest lessons of life are almost always taught in the classroom of suffering.  Where does pain come from?  It does not come from God, but God is the pain taker.  

John 10:10

English Standard Version

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 

 

Where does Satan target us for pain.  He targets our weaknesses.  Weakness is another name for our blindspots. Areas that we do not see.  Satan also targets our pride.  Areas that we think that we are strong.  We need people who tell us what we need.  

 

Hebrews 12:1

New Living Translation

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

 

James 4:6

New Living Translation

⁶ And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.

1 John 1:9

New Living Translation

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

 

James 5:16

New Living Translation

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

 

2 Corinthians 11:24-29

New International Version

24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

 

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

New International Version

7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.