Key scripture- “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-5).

God often allows pain to ignite destiny in our lives. Without motivation, many of us would never fulfill the purposes for which God created us. Often times a measured assault invades our life and creates a depth of pain that all we know to do and all that we can do is press into God with all our being.

At first, our motivation is to alleviate the pain, but after a season of extreme emotional and sometimes physical pain, a second phase begins. This phase moves us to discover a new and deeper relationship with God. We begin to discover things about ourselves and about God that we never would have discovered without the pain motivating us. Gradually, our heart changes from feeling like we have to spend time with God because we are motivated by pain to do it, to wanting to be with God and having a desire to lovingly obey His Word because a transition has taken place in our heart. No longer do we seek God for deliverance from the pain; we seek God because He is God. We seek His face and not His hand. We seek the Blesser not the blessings.

When we move to the second phase we often find ourselves moving into a new destiny and calling for our lives because God separates us from our old life and old desires in this process. No doubt Joseph and Peter felt the pain of their individual crises, when Joseph was thrown in the pit by his brothers and sold as a slave, and put in prison for a crime he did not commit, and Peter denied Jesus. (Genesis 37:20, 39:20) (Matthew 26:69-75). However, they both realized God’s purposes in their crisis and we will too. Like Joseph, we will able to say, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20).

Today, let God move you from the place of pain to the place of destiny. Let God show you the secret things He has reserved for you as a result of the crisis you find yourself in. “The secret of the wise counsel of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will let them know His covenant and reveal to them through His word its deep, inner meaning” (Psalm 25:14), Let Him show You the transformation He is going to do in You so that You produce fruits of righteousness.

If you are in a trial right now, I want you to know that it is never too late for you to seek God’s face, His heart and His hope for your life. Open the Bible and learn what God has already said about you and what you are going through, and you too will be able to speak God’s promises to yourself and to your problem as you go through your trial.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, what I am going through is painful but I thank You for this trial because it will make me more like Jesus. I know that in order to get all the impurities out of me You have to put me in the fire like gold and refine me. I want to get better not bitter. I know, that I know, that I know that You love me, and that You are doing this for my good and Your glory. Father, I praise You for all the difficult trials in my life, because each one is teaching me something about You, and has shown me how much You love me, shown me Your goodness, and given me the opportunity to taste and see how good You are. I know that it is not just my endurance that is being tested, it is my relationship with You, to see if I will trust and love You, and not turn away from You, especially when life is not easy. This trial will prove the value and strength of my faith, and it will make me mature and complete, not lacking anything. I know that this trial will soon be over, but the praise, honor, and glory will last through eternity. In Jesus’ Name,I Pray, Amen.