October 11 - Turning Pain Into Purpose

OCTOBER 11 - Turning Pain Into Purpose3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 25:21–22; John 11//3-Year Bible Devotional Book (Year Two) Available on Amazon//________________________________________“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” — Proverbs 25:21–22 (ESV)“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that he was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” — John 11:5–6 (ESV)“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.’” — John 11:25 (ESV)________________________________________Have you ever felt powerless when someone hurt you or when a friend was hurting and you didn’t know what to do? Proverbs 25:21–22 reminds us that responding with kindness—even toward those who hurt us—can have a powerful impact and invites God’s reward. In John 11, we see Jesus waiting while Lazarus was sick, showing that God’s timing isn’t always what we expect, but His love is constant. When Jesus eventually acts, He turns a situation of death and grief into hope and life.Life will give you moments when it feels unfair, slow, or even painful. But God can use your kindness, patience, and faith to bring healing and hope—not only to others but to yourself as well. Responding with love instead of anger, trusting God’s timing, and believing in His power even in hopeless situations can transform your life and the lives of those around you.________________________________________THINK ABOUT IT1. Respond with Kindness: How can you show kindness or mercy to someone who has wronged you, as Proverbs 25:21–22 encourages?2. Trust God’s Timing: Like Jesus waiting before going to Lazarus (John 11:6), how can you trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when it feels delayed or confusing?3. Believe in Resurrection Life: What does it mean to live with hope in Jesus’ promise that He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), especially when facing loss or disappointment?________________________________________BOTTOM LINEChoosing kindness, trusting God’s timing, and believing in His power can turn pain and hardship into hope and life.________________________________________PRAYERHeavenly Father, thank You for showing me that love and kindness have power, even in difficult situations. Help me to respond with grace, trust Your timing, and believe in Your promise of life and hope. Teach me to be an instrument of Your healing and love every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.