Welcome to Gateway Church's podcast. Wherever you're tuning in from, we hope you're encouraged by today's message.

Hello, Gateway Church. Have I told you lately that I love you? I really do. And I love your

dear pastor. You know, Robert is one of the most gifted Bible teachers on the planet. And I

always learn something every time I listen to him, so you're fortunate to be a part of Gateway.

Now, I want to say hi to all your campuses. And for those of you who are watching online,

thanks for joining us in this conference tonight. Now, you may not know that before KNI moved to

California to start Saddleback Church in 1980, just the two of us, we were 25 years old,

we lived in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex for three years. While I was attending seminary,

in fact, our first child Amy was born in Dallas. So when your dear pastor invited me last fall to

be a part of this conference, I was elated and I jumped into chance to be with you. But the last

three months, honestly friends, have been the most physically difficult and painful time of my life

in 52 years of ministry. I had two surgeries, I had two separate hospitalizations, and I spent much

of the holiday season, including Christmas day in bed. And I feel like I'm finally recovering,

but just this week, my doctors told me that I couldn't travel because my immune system has been

weakened, they said. And right now, I'm pretty much susceptible to anything. So I really wanted to

be with you. So I asked Robert, if I could take a message, just for you, here from my farm,

and he graciously said, yes, so thanks Robert. You know, since I've been personally dealing with

severe pain for the last several months, I'd like to talk to you tonight about God's five

purposes for pain in your life. And also five choices that you can make that'll help you benefit

from whatever pain you experience in life. Now, here's the point. No matter what kind of pain

you're going through, physical, emotional, spiritual, relational, financial, you'll be far better

to handle it and cope with it if you'll focus on God's purpose in your pain and the five potential

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