Saturday, June 11, 2011

Quote of the Week



"Experience is not what happens to you.   It is what you do with what happens to you.   Don't waste your pain; use it to help others."

Dr. Rick Warren,  The Purpose Driven Life

6 comments:

Ted M. Gossard said...

I have him on Facebook and often appreciate thoughts he drops- though I'm sure they're all good. This one is encouraging. Who hasn't experienced plenty of pain. Inward pain over my life has been harmful to me, and if I'm not careful I project that on to other's thoughts toward me, so that I end up compounding whatever problem exists, or even starting a new one. So glad the Spirit seems to help us as we groan, the Spirit groaning with us in intercessions. I can't help but think of that as I think tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday.

Every Square Inch said...

i think that's the difference between being 15 and 50 - our experience w pain. The difference between a Christian and the unbeliever is how we deal with it.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Well, ESI. I think I do deal with it as a Christian and as one who is growing in the Lord. I have my moments. But people who know me and who I open up to think I am hard on myself. A kind of tendency I have. At the same time we can always grow. And I take encouragement in knowing that in all our afflictions God is afflicted with us, and that the Spirit groans along with our groans.

Ted M. Gossard said...

One other thing, though: When we groan not knowing how to pray, the Spirit prays, and therefore God is at work for good. And certainly pain helps us empathize with others, as well be an example to them of how one can receive God's comfort through a troubling time. We have to learn to look at everything missiologically, or in terms of God's mission for us in Jesus I would think.

Every Square Inch said...

Ted - to elaborate on my comment.

An unbeliever in suffering may turn outward or inward. Outward distractions - sex, drugs, drinking, or even benign entertainment. Inward distractions - philosophical pursuits, anger, bitterness, despair

A Christian may face all the above temptations but with one difference. Ultimately, a christian in suffering takes all appeals (even his complaints and emotional frustrations) to the highest court he knows - the one on which Christ sits at the right hand of the Father.

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI, I agree. For me as a believer I see God as closer than the breath I breathe by the Spirit. So much of the time I groan in sufferings. But we too need to pray according to the will of God as revealed in scripture. And isn't it good when the Spirit does help us pray along a certain line we know is God's will as revealed in scripture (to repeat myself). Thanks.