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People of Pain – Troubled Teens
Craig Stephen Rogers, founder of Abundant Life Academy, a Christian boarding school for troubled teens… writes about his experience of serving teens and their families.
People of Pain? Who are they? Perhaps the best way to define “people of pain” is to first describe “people of faith”. People of faith are coachable, optimistic, and are willing to trust others while being tolerant of the opinions and beliefs of others. People of faith are hopeful, trustworthy, and trusting of others, even those they may not agree with. People of faith are secure in their own beliefs and opinions, and they are not frightened or offended by others who don’t see things their way. People of faith are not offended when all kinds of insults are thrown at them. People of faith do not retaliate when persecuted, betrayed, or attacked unjustly. People of faith love other people, even those who want to harm them, insult them, and attempt to cause them grief. People of faith trust the Lord Jesus Christ to defend them when attacked, and have committed to loving his/her neighbors, even the ones who spew vial upon them. People of faith are at peace when attacked by intolerant people, and their peace comes in knowing that the more they are attacked the closer they get to God, protected by Jesus (the spirit of truth), and led by the Holy Spirit. No person, including people of faith, like being hurt, offended, targeted for ridicule, or defamed unjustly. However, people of faith turn these ugly altercations to glorify God, and bring praise to His name, and are able to take the hate and love in return. The most important fact about people of faith is that when attacked they are able to put their trust in the Lord, and ugly attacks advances the reality of Jesus Christ.
So, who are the people of pain? I could describe their attributes or values, but it would serve no purpose in this article. People of pain are good people, lovely people, people who deserve to be appreciated, loved, and supported. People of pain need to know, again, the reality (revelation) of Jesus Christ, and to “know” Him in no uncertain terms. Well, the people of pain and the people of faith are one in the same. We are all people of pain, and people of faith. We find in the book of Romans, chapter 7, the people of pain, and the people of faith. We find out our position, or status, is totally decided by our choices. We find out that there is no one to blame, but the sin that dwells with in us. The good stuff that people of pain get to look forward to is explained in Romans chapter 8. When people of pain put their faith in Jesus Christ, then they become people of faith. In Ephesians chapter 2 we are told that while we were dead in our trespasses, we were made to be together with Christ. Romans chapter 8 states the same thing. So, it boils down to a choice.
Since I have been a “people of pain”, and I still battler the sin that dwells within me, I can understand and empathize with the people of pain. I know what they are going through, and why they think and feel they way they do. As a “people of faith” I find it a privilege to love those who are stuck in the cycle of pain. When attacked and offended by people of pain, I am reminded of how lucky I am to be one with Christ, a member of the Kingdom of God, forgiven, and set free, EVEN when I did not deserve it. So, when I am attacked, mocked, spoken poorly of I get a thrill. I get to see my Lord Jesus Christ stand in for me, loving me, reminding me that it is my honor to return the ugliness with love, faith, and offering my Jesus. So, I can honestly say that I have grown in Christ, and find it pure joy, when I am insulted, when I defamed, when I am spewed upon with vial. I truly am honored that I get to pray for people of pain, to love them, and to put their needs above my own. So, I return the vial with hope, I return the insults with faith, and I return the ugliness with the beauty of the Holy Spirit. I am a very lucky man, and I praise my God that I get to serve troubled teens. These young people of pain are an honor to serve, and I truly believe that others are missing out. May God be glorified, honored, and given praise every time I am attacked with vial ugliness, and I pray that those who spew the offense and vial, are given a double dose of the love of Christ, a fresh fire of the Holy Spirit, and freedom in God! May it be, AMEN.
So, pour on the offense so that I am closer to God, deeper in His mercy, and inspired in peace from the Holy Spirit… and I pray that people of pain will see Jesus in me.
Craig Stephen Rogers
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