Finding Purpose - Part 2 [Notes]

There is a purpose behind everything in life. For Christians, this realization can help sustain us, especially during difficult times. We can find meaning in our work, in our family, and from life itself... We can even find meaning behind the pain and suffering we endure. Join us as we begin a new series called "Finding Purpose," and invite a friend who may benefit from these messages.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
- John 16:33 (NLT)

He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness; you have been healed by His wounds.
- 1 Peter 2:24 (HCSB)

Five times I received thirty-nine lashes from Jews. Three times I was beaten with rods by the Romans. Once I was stoned by my enemies. Three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the open sea. On frequent journeys, I faced dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own people, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the open country, dangers on the sea, and dangers among false brothers; labor and hardship, many sleepless nights, hunger and thirst, often without food, cold, and lacking clothing. Not to mention  other things, there is the daily pressure on me: my care for all the churches.
- 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 (HCSB)

Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh  was given to me, a messenger  of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7b (HCSB)

Paul did not say what his thorn in the flesh was, although the Corinthians probably knew. Uncertainty about the specific identity of the thorn has allowed believers down through the ages to apply the concept to their own circumstances. Suggestions about the “thorn” have included physical ailments (poor eyesight or ill health); psychological or spiritual ailments (depression, demonic oppression, or an ongoing temptation from a bodily desire); and opposition to his ministry (enemies both inside and outside the churches).
- HCSB Study Bible, 2014

Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
- 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (HCSB)

To find purpose in your pain:

• Look up

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.
- 1 Peter 5:6-7 (HCSB)

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (HCSB)

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
- Romans 8:28 (HCSB)

The things themselves may not be good, but God harmonizes them together for believers’ ultimate good, because His goal is to bring them to perfection in His presence. Even adversities and afflictions contribute to that end. The active voice, present tense of the verb synergei (“He works together”) emphasizes that this is a continuing activity of God.
- Witmer, J. A. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

To find purpose in your pain:

• Look up 
• Look out

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
- Galatians 6:2 (HCSB)

Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies  and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (HCSB)

To find purpose in your pain:

• Look up 
• Look out
• Look in

Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh  was given to me, a messenger  of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 (HCSB)

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us,  because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
- Romans 5:1-5 (HCSB)

To find purpose in your pain, look up, look out, and look in.

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