The Profit of Pain

Friday 4 September
READ: 2 Cor 4:17
MORE LESSON: Psa.119:71

Every affliction in the life of a believer has an expiry date. However, while it lasts it should make a believer take a stand of faith. Trials work for us a far more exceeding weight of eternal glory. Though nobody wants or likes affliction, yet the Bible says even when they happen they work for benefits. This seems a hard message but it is true that no matter how bad the afflictions are, there are certain benefits attached to them. That is why David said, It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Psa. 119:71). David had profits from his pains. He discovered the statutes and rules. He did not suffer in vain but made gain out of his pain. I pray for you that you will not suffer pain in vain but you see and enjoy gain out of your pain.

There are many people in the scriptures that had pains that became gains. A good example is Job who had a lot of pains but at the end of the day, the pain did not consume him. As for the gain, he had double of everything he lost. Job today has become a reference point of prayer for those who are afflicted, that the same God that helped Job should help them. It simply means then that Job became an example of someone who gained victory over affliction. Affliction is not altogether bad. Paul confidently said that he reckons, admits, and counts the suffering of this present time as a prerequisite for a gain that is weightier than the pain. (2 Cor. 4: 17). Paul was another person who suffered a lot of pain for the sake of the gospel but he never gave up. He stayed on knowing full well that his suffering is not in vain. That affliction in your life is but for a moment, don't give up but rejoice that God has counted you worthy of a greater gain.

The depth of your pain will lead to the height of your gain. The foundation of a bungalow can never be compared with that of a sky scrapper. While the man building a sky scrapper is still digging his foundation, the other man building a bungalow would have completed his building and probably moved in. Your pain is not the same as that of your brother, friend, or colleague. It may be similar and can even bear the same name but before God, your case is unique. Draw lessons from others but never judge the dynamics of your conditions by those of others.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that your pains will become gains in all areas.
* Pray that your pains will not swallow you up in life and destiny.
* Tell yourself that weeping may endure for a night but joy is coming for you in the morning! Hallelujah.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, break every yoke in my life this month and let Your glory not be hidden in my destiny.