Introduction: God has five purposes for my life:

A. To know and love Him. [WORSHIP]

B. To learn to love others. [FELLOWSHIP]

C. To become like Jesus. [DISCIPLESHIP]

D. To serve God and others. [MINISTRY]

E. To live out His life mission for me. [MISSION]

Pain can play a good role in my purpose!

1. I can use my pain to draw closer to God.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (TLB) - I think you ought to know, dear brothers, about the hard time we went through in Asia. We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. 9 We felt we were doomed to die and saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us, for he can even raise the dead. 10 And he did help us and saved us from a terrible death; yes, and we expect him to do it again and again…

2 Corinthians 7:9 (TLB) - Now I am glad…not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God….

2. I can use my pain to draw closer to others.

3. I can use my pain to become more like Jesus.

Proverbs 20:30 (TEV) - Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

2 Corinthians 4:8-18 (TEV) - We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; 9 there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. 10 At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies. 11 Throughout our lives we are always in danger of death for Jesus' sake, in order that his life may be seen in this mortal body of ours. 12 This means that death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

13 The scripture says, "I spoke because I believed." In the same spirit of faith we also speak because we believe. 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus to life, will also raise us up with Jesus and take us, together with you, into his presence. 15 All this is for your sake; and as God's grace reaches more and more people, they will offer to the glory of God more prayers of thanksgiving.

16 For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. 17 And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. 18 For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

4. I can use my pain to help others.

5. I can use my pain to be a light in the darkness.

2 Corinthians 6:4 (TLB) - …In everything we do we try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure suffering and hardship and trouble of every kind.

Note: Any/all outlines represented in The Adventurer's Packing List whether adapted or in their original form are used "by permission" of the original author(s).