God Doesn't Waste Our Hurts

By Traci Bolden
      Center Director - Stuart

Have you ever asked God why did “this” happen to you? Of course you have.  We all have experienced hurt or pain in our life whether it was brought about by our own foolish actions or was the result of careless people.  Regardless of how it happened, the fact remains, it hurts.  Our natural reaction when we are hurting is to build a protective wall around our heart so we don’t have to feel that kind of pain again.

One of the hardest and longest lessons I have had to learn, personally, is that God does not waste our hurts.  The pain that we go through often reveals God’s purpose for our life. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in Genesis 50:20 - “You intended to harm me, but God intended it ALL for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”  While the enemy’s plan is to steal, kill, and destroy, God’s plan is to grow beauty and purpose from our pain.

Everyone has a story to tell.  Not everyone’s story is the same.  Often times we are held captive by our past because of fear, but when we are able to bravely share our story and allow God’s glory to shine through our circumstances, He can turn our pain into something beautiful.  When we live in the freedom of God’s truth, satan no longer has a foothold, and people’s lives are changed!

At Care Net, we have the privilege, as counselors, to share our stories of heartache and redemption with the clients who enter our doors.  Free from judgment, we meet each client where they are with Grace and Truth.  I believe each appointment is a divine appointment

and is an opportunity for God to use our own personal pain as a conduit of His love to help those in need. The encouragement our clients receive would never have been made possible without having gone through those painful times.  In 2 Corinthians 1:4-5, He shows us - “He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.  We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives.”

Instead of asking God “Why” this is happening, ask God “How” He is going to use it, trusting that your greatest ministry will likely come out of your greatest hurt.