Psalm 119:71 (CSB) - It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes.
1st Pain: The Pain of Failure
- Failure is painful because there was something that we fell short of.
Acts 15:35-40 (CSB) - 36After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. 38But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. 39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.
Failure will try to convince us that the label of our failure is permanent.
2 Timothy 4:9-11 (CSB) - 9Make every effort to come to me soon, 10because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me in the ministry.
The Profit in the Pain - There can be redemption!!!
How Can We Redeem Ourselves?
1. Have Humility & Own Your Mistakes
2. Good Miss vs Bad Miss
3. Pursue Faithfulness & Excellence
2nd Pain: The Pain of Burnout
Burnout is painful because in the moments when we must or want to give something, we cannot.
Numbers 11:10-14 (CSB) - 10Moses heard the people, family after family, weeping at the entrance of their tents. The Lord was very angry; Moses was also provoked. 11So Moses asked the Lord, “Why have you brought such trouble on your servant? Why are you angry with me, and why do you burden me with all these people? 12Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth so you should tell me, ‘Carry them at your breast, as a nursing mother carries a baby,’ to the land that you swore to give their ancestors? 13Where can I get meat to give all these people? For they are weeping to me, ‘Give us meat to eat! ’ 14I can’t carry all these people by myself. They are too much for me. 15If you are going to treat me like this, please kill me right now if I have found favor with you, and don’t let me see my misery anymore.”
Verse 14… “I can’t carry all these people by myself. They are too much for me.”
When we come to the place of burnout, our natural response is retreat.
Numbers 11:16-17 (CSB) - 16The Lord answered Moses, “Bring me seventy men from Israel known to you as elders and officers of the people. Take them to the tent of meeting and have them stand there with you. 17Then I will come down and speak with you there. I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.
Don’t just get any help, get the right help
THE PROFIT IN THE PAIN - We do not have to carry the weight of the world
HOW TO FIND QUALIFIED HELP
1. Define exactly what needs to be handed off
2. Start with your known network of people
3. Vet for competency and capacity
4. Empower them & ask God to help them
3rd Pain: The Pain of Loss
Loss is painful because something or someone we regularly see is no longer readily accessible.
John 11:32 - 'As soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and told him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died! ”
John 11:33 (CSB) - When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled.
Jesus not only acknowledges their grief, but he joins them in it.
PROFIT IN THE PAIN - You are never alone as you deal with your loss.
