S. H. A. P. E.

• Life Experiences That Shape And Influence You:
Relational Educational Spiritual Vocational Painful
“You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result …” (Genesis 50:20)
• God’s Purpose Behind Your Experiences.
“Jesus answered him, “What I’m doing you don’t understand now, but afterward you will know.” (John 13:7)

God Uses Your Experiences to ...
1. … teach you to trust Him.
“Indeed, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9)

2. … build character in you.
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

3. … to accomplish His purpose.
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)

How To Utilize Your Life Experiences
• Inspect “Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing?” (Galatians 3:4)

• Draw out the lessons you learned. “Remember today what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences with him.” (Deuteronomy 11:2) [GNT]

• Learn from others’ experiences. “People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.” (Proverbs 27:17)

• Start using your experiences to encourage and help others. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)