“My Powerful Pain” Blog #210

Why do I need to suffer and go through such sadness?

What can change my thoughts today and make me strong?

How can I possibly let go of painful things that consume me?

WHAT IF I could believe all the painful parts to my life are where I grew the most. I

accept I am only alive to learn my lessons, help other people and let go of my past. It’s not

important to any one else what I go through - except me. Others will attempt to listen and

try to be there, yet at the end….. I must figure out my own life. If I insist on going it alone -

its going to be a long, arduous, hard journey. So today I share this urgent observation:

Every person and every situation teaches me all the lessons I need to learn now.

Someone is rude and unkind, so how do I reply? Today appears to be going all wrong, how

do I regroup? A person close to me pushes all my buttons - what do I learn about me?

Have I removed people from my life who are cruel, unkind, and not honest? What around

me is stunting my internal growth?

HOW TO GO FORWARD WITH JESUS AT MY SIDE

There is no person alive who can avoid pain. Pain is inevitable. All through my life I

continued to have set backs in my life until I knew HOW TO USE MY PAIN FOR PURPOSE.

TURNING MY PAIN INTO PURPOSE WITH JESUS AT MY SIDE IS POWERFUL BEYOND WORDS.

When a young boy named John O’Leary was nine years old, he was playing with fire and

gasoline in his garage and there was an explosion. Johns house was burned to the

ground and John was burned 100% of his body. Almost 87% of his burns were third degree

and he wasn’t suppose to live through the night. He spent five months in the hospital and

years in rehabilitation just learning how to walk again. Yet, his life isn’t just about surviving,

it is about a triumph over unbelievable odds of overcoming his pain with purpose when his

life seemed to be nearly impossible. It is staggering to imagine the pain this nine year old

boy had to go through. But John chose “Life”. He wanted to live through all his pain, more

than anything else. After the explosion Johns father told him, “I love you and there’s

nothing you can do about it. You can’t choose the path you walk, but you can choose the

way you walk it”.

Above all, each of us must choose each day the way we want to live. Do we want to fight

hard for purpose or do we give in to pain with out understanding why? John says the fire

that disfigured so much of his body is a reminder of what transformed him into such a

strong believer in Jesus Christ. The suffering that should have destroyed John is the very

place where God’s grace took hold. Again, its how we choose to respond to pain that

makes the difference.

John O’Leary had a remarkable recovery. The many twists and turns his life took turned his

pain into purpose. His scars and struggles gave him his mission and brought clarity to his

life. Instead of dwelling on what he lost, he focused on what he could create. John went

on to write a book and do a movie called “Soul on Fire”. Against unbelievable odds, John

has brought powerful purpose into his life and now others. Right this minute I can say to

myself I am strong, I am purposeful I have power.

Can I take this day and with Jesus by side feel new empowerment?

NOW LISTEN TO SONG FOR TODAY - CLICK PLAY BUTTON IN VIDEO BELOW