Where Does It Hurt?

As a boy Wess was abused. He grew up in the poverty of the Ivory Coast. He saw his friends die of preventable illnesses.

Today he’s the president of the leading child development organization in the world – releasing more than a million children from the physical and spiritual oppression of poverty.

Crystal Renaud? Porn addiction.

Martin Luther King? Racism.

Randy Elrod? Legalism.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer? War.

Matthew Paul Turner? Fundamentalism.

Bill Hybels? Dead church.

Gary Haugen? Injustice.

Anne Jackson? Abuse.

Geoffrey Canada? Urban poverty.

Angie Smith? The death of a child.

What’s God’s will for your life?

A helpful question: Where has it/does it hurt?

Passion often comes from pain.

33 comments on “Where Does It Hurt?”

Sarah Valente (Kingdom Mama) says:

I have absolutely no doubt that God’s will for my life (not that I believe the pain was God’s will) is:

Brian and Sarah Valente? The restoration of an marriage beyond restoration.

And even though it still sometimes hurts, it’s really exciting to me.

BTW, we support Compassion with our blog, but somehow I had never heard that about Wess. Amazing!!!

April 15, 2010 at 10:18 am

Shaun Groves says:

You should read his book. Incredible story of how God turned so much pain into so much passion.

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- April 15, 2010 at 10:19 am
  
  Sarah Valente (Kingdom Mama) says:
  
  I will. Thanks!!

Jason says:

You should write a book on the subject and have one page with this post on it and then 199 empty pages because nothing else need be said!!

Amy @ My Friend Amy says:

This post totally gave me goose bumps, Shaun!

Josh says:

this post is chocked full of goodness, man…..awesome.

Cindy says:

I’m smack in the middle of Beth Moore’s Breaking Free Bible Study and just got to the part where she says these EXACT words…”your passion is birthed from your pain.”

I keep hearing this over and over again. That’s usually a sign that God it tapping me on my forehead trying to get my attention about a particular subject. Paying close attention now…

I never knew what it felt like to really know God’s healing power until I began to use my own hurt to help others. It is extraordinary to me to think that is why He allowed the struggle to begin with. I am honored to wear the scars.

And am honored to be listed among so many great people.

April 16, 2010 at 12:16 pm

Jason says:

If you haven’t seen Crystal’s ministry, you need to check it out. She’s doing great things to help a lot of women in need!

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Shellie (baylormum) says:

Addiction. To pain pills & muscle relaxers. And a pharmacist. I want to go back to work. Just moved & to transfer license is not only expensive, but mine is on probation, so there may be other road blocks. In July I will have 3 years clean. As long as I stay focused on recovery.

I now have a passion for the 12 step program I am involved with. I love going to meetings. I love being of service. I hate working the steps! I have made some of the best friends ever! People from all walks of life. That I NEVER would have even talked to 3 years ago.

God has blessed me with compassion that I thought was lost. And a selflessness I haven’t had in a long time. And a love. For all. I don’t have to like everyone, but I do have to love them. Not always easy. What a glorious life!

Claire says:

Real food for thought here. Thank you.

Cxx

Amy says:

I plan on reading Wes’s book. Yesterday our family chose a child to sponsor. I’m so excited to do this together as a family. Our oldest, Ethan, will be 5 next week and we chose a boy with the same birthday (1 year older). Ethan is so excited about this.

Pain does can really rock you to the core and challenge what you believe. Losing my mom suddenly made me really evaluate what I believed about God and suffering. I miss my mom terribly, but I have a much deeper compassion for others who are hurting and a much bigger and more complete picture of God’s love.

Debby says:

I’m crying.

I don’t know why.

Carole Turner says:

As always, amazing, thought provoking post.

I tell people that I am living the dream because I get to work with Homeless and At-risk youth. I am also a Orphan care advocate, a writer and story teller. ALL these things come from a hurts in my life (I am writing my life story now) and God in is wonderful mercy and love, is using it all for his glory. THAT is Gods will for my life.