Experiencing Pain, Presence, and Purpose: Unlocking the Power of Faith 4-Day Devotional by Joy LowerySample
Day 1: Experiencing the Pain
While seeking God during my divorce, I asked for revelation. No one warned me about the greater hurt that comes after the initial pain I endured. All that I know is I needed some answers, clarification, and guidance for this pain. I was instructed by the Holy Spirit, and I obeyed. It was then, at that moment, that revelation began to happen!
Experiencing pain looks different for each of us. For some, it looks like facing great distress. For others, it seems you have missed the mark. However this may look for you, just know that during this hard time, you are still being protected. After experiencing a pain you had not felt before, begin to navigate your way back to Jesus and take it one day at a time. In full transparency, at Jesus’ Feet is where I found myself crying out to Him. Honestly, that was something I had not done before. Beginning to acknowledge the pain may look like this:
“God, I cannot believe this has happened to me. What am I supposed to do with this pain? How do I move forward from here? Father, I am angry and upset right now. God, please give me the strength to endure this because I have never faced anything like this before. Forgive me, God, for going so far from You and neglecting Your Word.”
Sometimes, God must place us in uncomfortable situations to redirect us back to Him. Being afflicted is painful, yet it is also redirection. The divorce was my affliction, but it redirected my focus back to Christ.
That sudden cry out to God and prayer for help reminds me of Psalm 30:9, “Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also." (ESV) Acknowledging what has been done and talking to God about your honest feelings takes courage. When we are honest with God about our emotions, God’s Sweet Grace and Love cover us like a big hug.
God will give you peace beyond your understanding in the midst of your pain. There is something so reassuring about His Presence. During your time of weakness, He will be strong.
When you are uncertain of the outcome, seeking God in your pain and asking Him to give you wisdom takes incredible faith. Psalm 31:24 states, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” Go to God and lay before Him. Acknowledge the hurt and allow Him to help you carry that burden.
Being able to release that pain to God lifts a heavy burden off your shoulders. Releasing takes surrender and to surrender takes faith. Surrender the pain over to the One who has the capacity to carry it and watch how He begins to transform you from the inside out.
About this Plan
Pain leads to the experience of God’s Presence, which opens the door to discovering your Purpose. Experiencing pain and brokenness offers an opportunity to draw closer to God and experience God’s Presence and Glory in a new and refreshing way. In this 4-day devotional, let us journey together in unlocking the power of faith and authority that was given to us since the beginning.
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