Me: The pain I endured as a child caused me to feel powerless and fight for control in almost any situation. Today, although I’m getting better. It is something I still struggle with. I don’t want to be anyone’s puppet.
Jesus:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
John 15:1-3 ESV
It may be the result of your own sin or something God allowed into your life. Chances are that it is a blend of both. Your pain is God’s tool to cleanse you spiritually.
Yes, our Father cuts us. We are branches connected to Christ, and the Father is a Gardener that prunes us. The Father intentionally allows pain into our lives. But, why?
This is something that we can avoid in the “spiritual living” section of most bookstores, but it is the truth of God’s Word (Hebrews 12:6). A gardener takes his knife to the shoots and the buds that stifle growth, so the branch can grow healthily. Pain is an inevitable part of the Christian life because it is God’s method of removing sinful habits and producing the character of Christ.
In one sense the Christian is already clean (this is your position in Christ), yet our daily lives don’t meet this standard. God desires to make you in practice who you already are in Christ! Think about some of the hardest, lowest periods of your life since knowing Christ. Weren’t those your greatest periods of growth?
Many of you reading this are dealing with deep and longstanding pain, even trauma in many cases. I am not downplaying that. However, the point is that God’s love and power are greater. Whatever your pain, regardless of the cause, God is using it to spur you toward spiritual maturity and clinging to Him.
Stop fighting for control and ask yourself, “Do I embrace God’s cleansing or am I running away from Him?” A problem free life is a lie.
Stop fighting Him for control. Seek the deeper things God wants to do in your life.
Trust God. Seek Him. Be Affirmed in Christ.
Affirmed in Christ 
Words that are so very timely for today! Thank you! I know of no one who hasn’t been wounded by someone or has self inflicted pain, including myself. Surrendering to God and His sovereignty over these things is sometimes the biggest struggle. Again, thank you, young man.
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You’re welcome! Thank you for your comments. Blessings!
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