Winning over Pain III

READ: Jam. 5:10-16, MORE LESSONS: Acts. 16:23-33

We have established in the last two studies the fact that pain is common to man. Therefore, if you are hurting at this time, don't feel too bad but deal with the pain God's way. I pray that the Lord will not allow the pain that you cannot conquer to come your way, in Jesus' name. Several people in the Bible went through different types of pain which they handled in different ways. Many of them won, especially those who looked up to God for help. Such winners left for us examples to follow today. A few of those winners are Job, Daniel, Abraham, Paul and Peter.

Among these generals, the case of Job stands out as the most graphic picture of pain in the Bible. Some people don't read some sections of his book because pain is plainly spelt out, but I recommend that all people read the book. In one day, all his seven children and all his cattle (thousands of them) died, his servants all left, his health deteriorated, he moved from abundance to nothing, all without prior notice. It is good to note that he did not commit any sin, nor waiver in his commitment to God for one day; rather, he declared, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him Job. 13:15.

Eventually, the pains of Job were over; God visited him and gave him double of all that he had lost. The greatest lesson was revealed – his ordeal was a test! That implies that the pain you are going through could be a test, after all. Friend, watch your reaction.

Finally, in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you I Thess. 5:18. I pray that your pain works for your good and produce a miracle, in Jesus' name.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Give thanks to God for everything going on in your life.

* Ask God for strength in pain.

* Ask God for divine direction and understanding and maturity when things sometimes go wrong.

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Winning over Pain II

TEXT: II Sam. 12:1-16, MORE LESSONS: Psa. 51:8

In addition to David's prayer as we saw yesterday, he also fasted. Fasting helps the spirit man to make intercession. It helps to make one sober enough to pray and be less distracted. Fasting won't bribe God but it will show commitment to the matter at hand. Jesus instructs, And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting Mk. 9:29. David lay all night upon the earth. This is unbelievable for a king, but David did it. In fact, v21 tells us that David even wept. In times of pain, it is human and natural to weep. Note, however, that David did not just sit in ashes; he fasted and prayed.

The most exemplary act of David in this matter was clearly demonstrated when the child died, Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat II Sam. 12:20. This is an incredible act of maturity by David.

After the worst had happened, he put an end to mourning; he washed, anointed himself, changed his black mourning clothes, went to worship Jehovah and then he went to his house. When the baby was ill, he refused to eat but at his death, he asked for food, And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him v24.

When his servants asked him why he behaved like that, David responded, And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me II Sam. 12:22-23.

That was great grace and maturity. Learn from David's act of ending his pain, be an example of the believer in all things, including pain. Never refuse to be comforted in pain, it is not a Christian way. All things work together for good for a child of God.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Tell the Lord to make you an example of a true believer in pain.

* Tell the Lord that no pain will be bigger than you.

* Ask that you will not deny God because of pain.

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Winning over Pain I

TEXT: II Sam. 12:1-5, MORE LESSONS: Job 1:12

Pain is part of human experience that comes once in a while. The first thing to note about pain is that it is very unpleasant. However, if you are in pain, I want you to know that there is a way through it and you can win over pain. No two people have the same pain, or experience it in the same way.

But whichever yours is, you can overcome it. The effect of pain on a man's life is mostly determined by how he handles it. It is important to note that a king so powerful and loved of God like David could have such experience of pain as he had in the text above. But it was David's sinful act that led to his pain, Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him…. II Sam. 12:9.

God gave His judgment, Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die v14.

The baby became very sick, which was a painful period, David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth v16. First, David prayed and pleaded with God. Handling painful/difficult situations begins with prayer. You must never get to a state of not praying. You need to pray to ask for forgiveness of your sins, in case an act of sin was responsible. It is more profitable to pray in time of grief or pain than to cry, or lose control of oneself. David prayed; never get too sad to pray. Prayer is a positive act in pain, anything less than prayer is an unproductive act and it must be avoided no matter how consoling it looks. When life challenges come, prayer is the first anchor as David says, From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I Ps. 61:2.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Ask God to grant you grace to win over any pain that confronts you.

* Ask for strength, wisdom and grace to handle pain with God's standard.

* Tell the Lord when your heart is overwhelmed you will not go to any other place than to Him.

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His Guided Missile

TEXT: Lk. 5:1-10, MORE LESSONS: Isa. 34:16

God's Word is a guided missile which doesn't miss His targets. God's Word is perfect and direct. When Jesus called Lazarus out of the grave, Lazarus came out. That instruction had the capability to resurrect every dead person in that graveyard but the address was to Lazarus. God's Word is directed to you today instructing your day, month and year to be filled with glory and it will not miss you. There were many fishermen fishing on the sea with Peter when Jesus directed him to launch into the deep. As soon as the word was spoken, every fish in that sea began to look for Peter's net. This will be for you a great year of recovery, promotion, success, help, victory and joy unspeakable. If the word for Lazarus, Peter, Jonah, etc did not miss them, every word of prophecy that has been spoken to your destiny this year will speak for you, in Jesus’ name.

Sometimes you don't even wait for the prophet to prophesy on you, just find one of God's promises that is relevant to your need and begin to claim it and I assure you it will not miss its target. That was what the woman with the issue of blood did. Jesus’ Word and ministry did not reach her for whatever reason, she was just hearing of His wonder work of power. So she decided to reach Jesus, she touched just the helm of His garment and she was healed. Reach Jesus today by locating His promises and pour them on your destiny before you start the day and it shall be a blessed day, month and year for you. I command God's blessings to locate you today, in Jesus' name.

PRAYER / ACTION

* Say to God, Your promises will not lack their mate in my life, in Jesus' name.

* Command that your destiny will respond to God's blessings and promises.

* Claim the following promises in prayer: Deut. 28:1-13; Ps. 90:2-16.

* Give thanks for answered prayer.

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