E - Experience | John Muffler
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Jesus Doesn’t Waste Pain
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us we are God’s masterpiece: “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Salvation isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point. When Christ rescues us, part of that rescue is re-forming us so we can do — love God, serve people, and participate in God’s story.
Now we look at the ‘E’ in SHAPE that stands for Experiences — what we’re focusing on: everything we’ve lived through, good and bad, can be used for God’s glory.
Two roads for our past: Bitterness or Surrender
When we look back, humans tend to remember the extremes — the top two and the bottom two percent of life. For many, memory brings pain: hurts, brokenness, days the world changed for the worse. That pain can push us toward one of two responses:
Turn away in bitterness — blaming God, walking from faith, letting the story stop with pain.
Run into God’s arms — surrendering the wreckage and the wins, allowing God to redeem and repurpose them.
Jesus doesn’t waste pain. When we surrender, even the dumpster-fire parts of our story can become testimony and fuel for kingdom work.
Real people, different pasts — same Savior
John shared an honest illustration from home: Stacy (his wife) grew up steeped in church life—generations of faithful Christians—while he came to faith later after complicated circumstances. Their different experiences shape how each serves. Stacy uses her lifelong familiarity to encourage church folks; John leans toward equipping Christians to reach outsiders. Different experiences; different ministries. Both are needed.
Your story — whether lifelong faith, late conversion, moments of deep failure, or seasons of blessing — uniquely equips you for Kingdom service. You don’t have to compare; you have to offer.
The Holy Spirit helps in our weakness (Romans 8)
Paul tells us the Spirit helps when we’re weak and even intercedes for us when we don’t have words (Romans 8:26–27). That means:
God doesn’t abandon you in confusion or pain.
The Spirit takes our groans and turns them into prayer.
God “reads” what we cannot say and works with the heart of the Spirit on our behalf.
And yes — Romans 8:28 (“in all things God works for the good…”) is a powerful promise, but also dangerous without context. It is not a one-line excuse to dismiss suffering or to claim every painful act was morally right. It’s the assurance that God is sovereign and will, in His wisdom and timing, bring redeeming purpose out of what happens to those who love Him.
Practical steps — move from past → purpose
Name it. Tell God the story. Give details — the good, the bad, the ugly.
Surrender it. Consciously hand specific memories, regrets, or victories to Christ.
Look for the thread. Ask: What did this season teach me? What empathy, skill, or passion grew from it?
Offer it. Find one way to use that experience to serve (a conversation, a volunteer role, a testimony).
Lean on the community. Study scripture together. Let a small group walk with you. The Spirit often works through people.
Reflection (personal)
What vivid top-two/bottom-two memories shape how you see God or others?
Where have you been tempted to become bitter? Where have you experienced God’s redeeming work?
What’s one small, concrete way you can offer a painful or joyful experience to help someone else this week?
Group questions
Share a single experience (positive or painful) that shaped your faith. What did God teach you there?
When has the Holy Spirit helped you pray when you didn’t have words? How did that change your view of prayer or of God’s presence?
Read Romans 8:26–28 together. What context helps prevent misusing verse 28? How does verse 26 change the way we approach suffering?
How might two different life experiences create two different but complementary ministries (like John and Stacy)? Identify one such pairing in your group.
What practical next step will you take to offer your past to God (write a testimony, mentor someone, join a ministry)?
A short prayer
Lord, you know the story of our lives — the joys and the wounds. Help us not to hide the broken parts but to hand them to You. Fill the places we cannot speak with Your Spirit. Use our experiences — even the painful ones — to bring hope to others and to glorify Your name. Amen.
Next steps at Capitol City
If you’d like to go deeper on this, join a community group, or share your story with a pastor or volunteer team, visit our welcome table or contact the church office. God is ready to take the pieces and write something beautiful.
