The Right Question to Ask When You’re in Pain

[The Right Question to Ask When You’re in Pain]( Current Teaching Series [How to Get Through What You're Going Through]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [The Right Question to Ask When You’re in Pain]( By Rick Warren — 07/05/2023 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= “This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (Phillips) When life becomes really hard, most people will eventually ask, “Why is this happening to me?” But that’s the wrong question to ask when things get dark. Instead, try asking, “God, what’s your purpose in this?” The Bible says in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “You are temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials and temptations. This is no accident—it happens to prove your faith, which is infinitely more valuable than gold” (Phillips). Nothing comes into your life accidentally. God does not cause evil. But he can bring good from every single thing, even from evil. Trials reveal your character, your maturity, your security, your values, and your faith.  One of the major figures in the Bible is the apostle Paul. He devoted his entire life to serving God. But, in many ways, Paul’s life was worse than you can imagine. He was stoned, shipwrecked, beaten, left for dead, imprisoned, whipped, and robbed, and he went thirsty and hungry. But he was never bitter. Instead of asking, “Why me?” he looked for and trusted God’s purpose. He learned to trust God in his problems, even when he didn’t understand. What is the secret to his persistence? “This is the reason why we never collapse . . . These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 Phillips). Like Paul, you can hold on to hope because God has a purpose and even a reward that exceeds your pain. When Jesus died on the cross, his followers thought it was a senseless tragedy. They thought God had made a mistake! But what they couldn’t see was God still on his throne, carrying out a bigger purpose. After Jesus’ resurrection, he appeared to the disciples and said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21 NIV). Just moments before, they could see no reason for their pain. But here Jesus was, telling them that God was giving them a new assignment that was part of a grand purpose. God’s purpose for your life is always greater than your problems. Trust him. He loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections. He specializes in hopeless situations. [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - During what circumstances in your life have you asked, “Why me?” - When have you seen God bring good out of very difficult circumstances? - In what part of your life do you need to start asking, “God, what’s your purpose?” The post [The Right Question to Ask When You’re in Pain]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= [Get the Journey Toward Hope Guided Experience when you give a gift to support Daily Hope!]( Life can be challenging, isolating, and painful. That’s why it’s critical to stay grounded in who God says you are—and the hope he alone can give. That’s also why Kay Warren created the Journey Toward Hope guided Bible study. In this beautiful, vegan leather book, you’ll find a wealth of resources to help you move toward hope throughout the ups and downs of life. In Journey Toward Hope, you’ll find: • Five truths that hope reveals about you • Quotes and life-giving Scripture • Space to journal • Stories of authentic hope • Guided prayers to encourage you [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 8 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series How to Get Through What You're Going Through. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: How We're Getting Through Message 2: When Your World Collapses Message 3: Getting Through Life's Losses Message 4: Struggle: When Life Makes No Sense Message 5: Surrender: The Path to Peace Message 6: Never Waste a Pain Message 7: Transformed by Trouble Message 8: Finding Treasure in Darkness by Kay Warren [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( Rick Warren is the founding pastor of [Saddleback Church]( one of America’s largest and most influential churches. Pastor Rick is the author of the New York Times bestseller [The Purpose Driven Life](. His book [The Purpose Driven Church]( was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. Pastor Rick created [The PEACE Plan]( to address the five global giants—spiritual emptiness, self-serving leadership, poverty, disease, and illiteracy—through the power of ordinary people in the local church. His Daily Hope broadcast and daily devotionals are offered around the world. You can listen to the broadcast or sign up for the free devotionals at [PastorRick.com](. © 2023 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link below. 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