Nothing is Wasted by Davey Blackburn

Opening

Overview

A lie that the church tends to tell is that God will never give us more than we can handle. In fact, most of us experience things that we cannot handle. We experience pain and trauma as we navigate the world. We walk through valleys of despair and darkness.

We can experience pain because of our own sinful choices, because of other people’s sinful choices, because we live in a fallen and broken world, or because there is a spiritual attack against us. We either choose a response to our lives or we react without thought. God wants to help us process our pain and choose a response. God wants to transform our pain.

Discussion Questions

1. Have you dealt with your pain or have you spent your life trying not to deal with it?
2. How do you react to other people’s pain?

Practice

Ephesians 6: 10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh- and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.