From Pain to Destiny

Right before I returned to the Fathers house, my professional life was at its peak. I had attained all of the goals I had set out for myself earlier in life. I would soon sew on the chevrons of Chief Master Sargent, the highest rank available for an enlisted person in the US Air Force. I held a position of exceptional authority as the top enlisted aircrew member responsible for the management of over 3500 enlisted flight personnel for the Air Force Reserve’s. Life was good, or at least it appeared to be to all of those around me.

Unfortunately, my personal life was a complete mess. I had entangled myself in an affair that nearly led to the destruction of my life and family. The conviction of the Holy Spirit only added to the constant emotional pain I lived under. My constant prayers for relief went unanswered for months and months, if not years. I was looking for the easy way out instead of accepting responsibility for my actions. In an instant, that all changed on March 3rd 2001.

After praying with our associate pastor for forgiveness, my life changed in the most radical way possible. The affair ended that day after a call to the other person. Over the next few weeks, months and years, the Lord would completely restore my life with my wife and children. His grace was extended through them to me. I would turn complete control of my life over to our Father…to say it’s been a wild ride ever since would be an understatement.

Today, as we start in earnest to produce a TV show for one of our customers, I have to take stock of where I’ve been and where the Lord is taking me. The growth of our business has been simply phenomenal. What started as the conduit to the internet for the cameras of another TV production company has turned into a company with two complete high definition mobile units capable of streaming live events from just about any place in North America. I stand in awe of our God.

If you find yourself in a place of pain, my simple advise is to embrace where you are and ask the Lord what He would have you do in and with your circumstances. Paul said this in Philippians 4:12-13 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

Blessings

From Pain to Destiny
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2 by Os Hillman

“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. Oftentimes a measured assault invades our life and creates a depth of pain that all we know to do is press into God with all our being.

At first, our motivation is to alleviate the pain. 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 this motivation. Gradually, our heart changes our motivation from pain to loving obedience because there is a transition of the heart that takes place. 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.

When we move to the second phase we often find ourselves moving into a new destiny and calling for our lives because God often separates us from the old life in this process. No doubt Joseph and Peter felt the pain of their individual crises. However, later they could realize God’s purposes in their crisis. Like Joseph, we are able to say, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

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 may find yourself in.