Sermon Summary: Lessons on Pain from Joseph & How to Respond to Pain (Hidden Heroes) by Monica Monir
The following is a written summary of Lessons on Pain from Joseph & How to Respond to Pain (Hidden Heroes) by Monica Monir, you can listen to the recording here.
Overview
Joseph is a prime example of the character required when responding to suffering.
Joseph’s encounters form an epic story of how God actively heals the gnarly roots of our lives.
Joseph was exiled to a foreign land – we have too as interstate students.
There are 3 key stages to a painful experience (with questions associated).
1. “Why is this happening? None of this is making sense.” – our emotions dwell on the past.
2. “What do I do now? How do I go about this situation?”- we freak out in the present.
3. “What can I look forward to in the future to “fight the good fight?”” - we become anxious over what is to come in the future.
The only stage we can control is the present moment.
Here is the only place that actually exists, concerning ourselves with “there”, whether the future or past, is a playground for the devil within the depths of our anxious thoughts.
1. “Why is this happening? None of this is making sense.”
Every type of pain involves some sort of humiliation.
We have to identify what purpose that humiliation has in our lives.
Humiliation is not necessarily a direct result of one’s ego diminishing, but rather losing something one did not expect to lose.
God needed Joseph to meet Him in a place where he was capable of understanding his usability for God’s plan.
Joseph expected to be the head of his household, yet God made him the head of the entire country.
Genesis 37:15-17 – “Now a certain man found him, and there he was, wandering in the field. And the man asked him, saying, “What are you seeking?”. So he said, “I am seeking my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding their flocks.” And the man said, “They have departed from here, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.”
Joseph’s chance encounter with a helpful stranger shows that God is able to fulfil His plan and lead us to Him even when we wander. God sends us people to guide us and lead us where He wants us to be.
If you are anxious about reaching the next stage of your life, remember the helpful stranger and understand that in circumstances that may seem “lucky” or “coincidental”, know that this is intentional and by God.
God seeks positive change in our lives even if it is just internally – we need to change our perspective of pain as being a punishment. Rather, pain is a catalyst for positive change and acts as a push in the right direction.
Joseph was literally stripped of his clothes and the dignity associated with his robe; he was ultimately humiliated. However, he became a reputable man of Egypt after experiencing wrongful imprisonment in a foreign country.
Most of God’s work through the pain in Joseph’s life entails stripping and removing that which seemed important to Joseph– God strips that which hinders Joseph from seeing God.
God turns our mess into a message.
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Pain and humiliation = catalyst for change.
2. “What do I do now? How do I go about this situation?”
Use every situation to improve and refine your character.
There are 2 types of pain: the pain that hurts and the pain that alters.
It is your decision to determine which pain you will experience.
The pain that hurts is closely associated to the pain of sin. It is revolved around heavily relying on our thoughts and emotions, rather than God.
When we look at Joseph’s pain, we can recognise it as pain as a consequence of someone else’s sin (his brothers and Potiphar).
Do not compare your weakness to other people’s strengths.
You are created as a unique being; you are comparable to no one.
You are only allowed to compare yourself to how you were in the past. Use this as a measure of how far you have come.
The only ideal you should use is Jesus Christ.
An important verse to remember is John 11:35 - “Jesus wept” – Christ expressed His grief. So, what is compelling you to conceal your pain and keep your hurt within yourself – you are allowed to experience pain and emotion.
God collects our tears in a bottle, and He does not let one go to waste. God answers the prayers of each of your tears.
Psalm 56:8 – “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
Make sure you reflect after you experience a painful situation.
“What are you going to do about it?” – pray to God, practice the virtue of patience.
Joseph remained committed to God despite his circumstances.
Joseph’s heart was fixed on the future, he could have indulged in his boss’s wife, yet he chose otherwise.
God looks after you in your suffering if you are doing good in His eyes.
This does not mean that we are not going to experience pain, but that no pain shall befall us and cause irreversible and permanent damage/suffering.
Pain is a teacher – have you figured out what God wants you to learn? There is reason behind your suffering, just submit to God’s will.
Do not ignore or escape the reality, it’s easy for us to live double lives as interstate students.
3. “What can I look forward to in the future?”
“Has God promised us anything in return for our pain?”– we start experience doubt.
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
When bad things are happening and when things seem to be going backwards, God may be pushing you forward.
There were intentional events that happened in Joseph’s life e.g. – receiving a controversial gift, being thrown into a pit, entering a foreign land. These events were all part of God’s plan for revealing His glory within Joseph.
There will be a chain of providential occurrences in your life, but amid all this, God remembers you and does not forsake you.
Your circumstances may seem confusing at times. Regardless of where you think you should be in life, God has plans for your life and sees through all of your confusion.
God’s timing trumps man’s forgetfulness.
Through God’s deliverance, He shows us that there are blessings in the present (Joseph’s children).
God does not let your pain go in vain if you use it for your spiritual gain.
Finding healing flows from forgetting your pain.
“Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.” - Randy Armstrong
Summary:
Willingly accept what is going on.
Reflect on how this suffering could add to your character, and what lessons you can learn.
Pray constantly until you have an answer (Jacob wrestles with an angel).
Act in a God-pleasing way.
God does not let your pain go in vain. He does not forsake us.
Forgiveness is important for healing.
We are made in the image of Christ and if we are not relational, then we are not following what God wants. Therefore, we must try not to conceal all our sufferings.
Don’t be obsessed with your outward appearance – don’t worry if people notice your pain, don’t worry about what may happen to your reputation – Christ always associated with the outcasts.
Don’t complain! God recognises your humility and obedience.
Treat everyone with kindness and if someone comes to you with an issue, wholeheartedly assist them with their issue even if you may be experiencing something yourself.
Any complaint we make, is a complaint against God – God is the author of our lives and orchestrates the happenings in our lives with care and intentionality. To complain is to question God’s doings.
