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HOUSE OF PAIN


Significance is living within the realms of God’s purpose for one’s life. True significance is found in the fulfillment of God’s purpose. And God’s purpose for life is found in a life of dedication to the needs of people. And that is the definition and heart of Christian ministry. Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" revolves around a multi-generational family living under one roof in Atlanta, Georgia led by patriarch Curtis Payne and his wife Ella. The show centers around the day to day life of a black family and explores dark themes and subject matter such as substance abuse and addiction. It also depicts the dedication of a man and a woman to the needs of their extended family. And the only connection between the TV show and the title of this blog is nothing more than a play on words. Nevertheless, a life of commitment to the needs of people, especially that of a family, usually comes at a great price. Sometimes it comes in the form of severe challenges and creates its own unique needs. Challenges are afflictions and they can be physical, financial, social, emotional, or even spiritual in nature. Physical afflictions can be in the form of chronic or terminal disease or other forms of challenges to the health of one who is dedicated to the fulfillment of God’s purpose. Spiritual distractions can be in the form of unbelief or living a life below the plan of God for one’s life. Social afflictions can be in the form of separation or divorce, loss of financial capacity in the form of overwhelming decline in financial resources. Emotional challenges can come in the form of challenges to one’s mind and spirit. Depression is often the most common form of emotional affliction. It derails many people off the track of fulfillment of God’s purpose in their lives and in the lives of others.
The “House of Pain” is a metaphor for the reality that it is not unusual for the righteous to experience serious afflictions. Sometimes the righteous are bombarded with multiple afflictions all at the same time. The House of Job was a “House of Pain.” Job experienced the physical affliction of a debilitating disease, the emotional afflictions of frustration and depression; social afflictions of loss of assets, loss of status in the community, unrighteous counsel of his wife and the unsubstantiated condemnation of friends. Though it was with God’s permission, Job’s afflictions were mere satanic devices designed to cause a breach in Job’s relationship with God [Job 1: 12; 2: 6]. Christians should be the least ignorant of satanic devices [2 Corinthians 2: 11]. There are no greater words of encouragement to help Christians deal with satanic devices designed to cause a breach in our relationship with God than these words, “But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” [1 Peter 5: 9, 10].
Though he was besieged and bombarded with all forms of satanic attempts designed to cause a breach in his relationship with God, Job refused to be spiritually distracted [Job 2: 10]. Job achieved significance in his unyielding trust and faith in God in the midst of unequaled suffering and became a living legend to those who would suffer righteously as they attempt to fulfill God’s purpose in theirs and in the lives of others. I pray that you discover life the way God intends. Amen.


K. George Olubodun

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