The Paralyzing Grip of Remembered Pain

Teachings for Men

July 18, 2013

MEMORY VERSE:

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good

to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’

And he reassured them and spoke to them kindly. Joseph stayed in Egypt,

along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years.”

Genesis 50:19-22

INTRODUCTION

Remembered pain is unforgiven pain. Whether that pain is from the hand of a person, a situation or one’s own fault, if its memory brings agony, then it is unforgiven pain. Unforgiven pain restricts and paralyzes.

I. Joseph remembered the pain.

  • Self-deception and self-denial produce unhappiness and bitter wounds.
  • Self-deception and self-denial must be confronted with brutal honesty.

II. Joseph looked for God’s sovereign hand in his memory

  • Pain is allowed by God for a reason.
  • Pain teaches.

    • III. Joseph surrendered the pain and was freed from its paralyzing grip.

    • Unforgiven pain mars happiness
    • Forgiveness brings peace, prosperity and fulfillment.

    CONCLUSION

    No social or financial success can mask the torture of remembered pain. Remembered pain can only be dealt with if it is faced in all honesty and through complete surrender to God.

    REFLECTION: Let us ask ourselves the following questions:

    • What memory pains me even now?
      • Why is the memory painful?
      • How have I dealt with it?
    • Did I learn from the pain?
      • If so… what?
      • If not… do I want to learn from it? Why or why not?
    • Did I try to find God’s sovereign hand in that incident?
      • If so… why?
      • If not… then why not?
    • Why does God allow painful experiences to occur?
    • What do I think God wants me to do about it?
      • Is it unreasonable? Why or why not?
      • What am I going to do about it?

    APPLICATION:

    = prayer of commitment =

    Lord, thank You for the strength that You have given me in confronting the paralyzing grip of remembered pain. Thank You, too, for Your liberating touch. From now on, I will endeavor to always be honest with myself and with You about what I feel so that I will no longer be a victim of this paralysis. Amen.

    = statement of commitment =

    Whenever something bothers me, I will make an effort to deal with it then and there with total honesty and surrender to God. I will never again be a victim of the paralyzing grip of remembered pain.

    CLOSING PRAYER

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