Title: “JABEZ: From Pain to Purpose”
By Chris N. Braza
In a sea of genealogies in 1 Chronicles 4, tucked quietly between names and lineage, appears a short but powerful story—the story of Jabez. Just two verses (1 Chronicles 4:9-10), yet these lines echo through time as a thunderous prayer of transformation, destiny, and divine favor.
As a pastor and educator, I’ve always believed that some of the greatest revelations come in the most unexpected places. And Jabez is a perfect example of how God can take a life marked by pain and turn it into a legacy of blessing.
Jabez Was Born in Pain
His very name—Jabez—means “sorrow” or “pain.” His mother named him so because she bore him in pain. Imagine carrying the label of pain from birth. While others were called by names that inspired courage, hope, or legacy, Jabez carried a name that reminded people of sorrow.
Yet, it wasn’t the name that defined him—it was the prayer that redirected his life.
The Bold Prayer of Jabez
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” – 1 Chronicles 4:10
This wasn’t just a wishful thought. This was a faith-filled cry from someone who refused to be bound by his past or his label. Jabez teaches us three powerful truths:
1. Your Beginning Doesn’t Define Your End
Jabez was born in pain—but he didn’t let pain be the author of his story. Many of us come from broken homes, hurtful experiences, or difficult upbringings. But like Jabez, we can declare: “Lord, I want more. I want Your hand in my life. I want a future beyond what I see.”
2. It’s Okay to Ask God for More
Some people think it’s selfish to ask for blessings. But Jabez didn’t just ask—he said, “Bless me indeed!” That’s like saying, “Bless me a lot, Lord!” Not for greed, but for purpose. Jabez wanted to be a channel of blessing, not a carrier of pain.
As a Christian fashion brand founder, I see how purpose and creativity flourish when we invite God to enlarge our territory—our influence, reach, and impact for His glory.
3. God Honors Bold, Sincere Prayers
The last line of verse 10 says it all: “And God granted him what he requested.” Wow. Jabez prayed boldly—and God responded generously. Why? Because his prayer wasn’t selfish; it was anchored in identity, humility, and the desire to not cause pain but to be a blessing.
Your “Jabez Moment” is Waiting
Friend, no matter your past, you can rewrite your future. You may have been labeled by people, hurt by circumstances, or overlooked like Jabez was in the long list of names—but your cry to God can change your course.
I challenge you today, just like Jabez: Pray big. Believe big. Dream big. God is still in the business of turning pain into purpose.
Let Jabez’s story remind us that a life surrendered to God—no matter how it begins—can become a life that blesses generations.
Sa gitna ng mahabang talaan ng mga pangalan sa 1 Cronica 4, may isang maikling kwento na tila hindi napapansin—ang kwento ni Jabez. Dalawang talata lamang (1 Cronica 4:9-10), ngunit punô ito ng kapangyarihan, pananampalataya, at pag-asa. Isang panalangin na hanggang ngayon ay nagbibigay inspirasyon sa marami.
Bilang isang pastor at tagapagturo, naniniwala ako na minsan, ang pinakamalalim na rebelasyon ay matatagpuan sa mga hindi inaasahang bahagi ng ating buhay. At si Jabez ay isang patunay na kayang gamitin ng Diyos ang isang buhay na puno ng sakit upang maging isang kasaysayang puno ng pagpapala.
Ipinanganak si Jabez na may Kasamang Sakit
Ang mismong pangalan niya—Jabez—ay nangangahulugang "sakit" o "hirap." Pinangalanan siya ng kanyang ina ayon sa hirap na dinanas niya sa panganganak. Isipin mo—bata pa lang, tinawag ka na agad ng mundo bilang "problema" o "pait."
Ngunit hindi ang pangalan ang nagtakda ng kanyang kapalaran—kundi ang kanyang panalangin.
Ang Matapang na Panalangin ni Jabez
“Pagpalain Mo po sana ako, at palawakin Mo ang aking nasasakupan. Samahan Mo po ako at ilayo Mo ako sa kasamaan upang hindi ko maging sanhi ng sakit.” – 1 Cronica 4:10
Hindi ito basta hiling lang—ito ay isang panalangin na punô ng pananampalataya mula sa isang taong ayaw manatili sa anino ng kanyang nakaraan. Tatlong mahahalagang aral ang mapupulot natin mula kay Jabez:
1. Ang Simula Mo ay Hindi ang Katapusan Mo
Ipinanganak man sa sakit, hindi iyon naging dulo ng kwento ni Jabez. Marami sa atin ang galing sa wasak na tahanan, masakit na karanasan, o mahirap na pinagmulan. Pero tulad ni Jabez, maaari rin tayong magsabi: “Panginoon, gusto ko ng bago. Gusto kong maranasan ang kamay Mo sa aking buhay.”
2. Hindi Masama ang Humiling ng Higit sa Diyos
May mga nagsasabing makasarili ang humiling ng pagpapala. Pero si Jabez ay hindi nahiyang magsabi ng, "Pagpalain Mo po sana ako ng lubos!" Hindi para sa pansariling yaman kundi para sa layunin. Gusto niyang maging daluyan ng pagpapala, hindi ng sakit.
Bilang isang tagapagtatag ng mga Kristiyanong clothing brands, nakikita ko kung paano pinalalawak ng Diyos ang ating nasasakupan—ang ating impluwensiya, abot, at epekto—kapag inaalay natin ang lahat sa Kanya.
3. Pinapakinggan ng Diyos ang Matapat at Matapang na Panalangin
Ang huling bahagi ng talata ay makapangyarihan: “At ibinigay ng Diyos ang kanyang kahilingan.” Isang simple ngunit makahulugang tugon. Ipinapakita nito na ang Diyos ay tumutugon kapag ang ating panalangin ay galing sa pusong nagpapakumbaba at naghahangad ng pagbabago.
Ang Iyong “Jabez Moment” ay Maaaring Mangyari Ngayon
Kaibigan, anuman ang pinagmulan mo, puwede kang magsimulang muli. Maaaring may mga bansag na binigay sa iyo—“problema,” “walang mararating,” “masama ang ugali”—pero sa isang taimtim na panalangin, kaya mong baguhin ang takbo ng iyong buhay.
Ngayong araw na ito, tulad ni Jabez: manalangin ka ng malaki, maniwala ng malaki, mangarap ng malaki. Ang Diyos ay hindi nagbabago. Siya pa rin ay Diyos na kayang gawing pagpapala ang bawat sakit mo.
Manatiling inspirado at tapat sa Panginoon.
– Chris N. Braza
Pastor | Guro | Tagapagtatag ng BRAZAAR Fashion Corporation at Happy World Original Clothing
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