Purpose in Pain

Have you ever experienced painful events in your life or perhaps pain is something that you are still experiencing? Are you wondering whether God will ever give you the victory and fulfil His purpose in your life through your pain? If so, keep reading. This message is for you.

I got saved in 2013 and although I had experienced traumatic events in the past, I believed that God had truly redeemed me. By 2015 I really thought that things had changed and I was no longer going to experience issues in my life because I was Saved. Boy was I wrong. 2016 came and I lost my Grandmother to a tragic event. This has been the most painful situation I have ever experienced and had me questioning how God could allow this to happen.

It was my Grandmothers anniversary recently and I was reminded of the pain I went through two years ago. I could feel myself slipping into depression and questioned what the purpose of this pain was.

You see, we go through things and know the scriptures that God is working out everything for our Good, (Romans 8:28) however, how many of us are really believing this when we are going through things?

You hear stories of people sharing their testimonies and see how God is working in their lives. A Pastor even recently did a revival at my Church and spoke of the traumatic events that took place throughout his childhood and adolescence. His testimony was powerful. But all I could think about was wheres my testimony? Where’s my victory? When are You going to work things out for me? What is the purpose in what I have gone through?

Sometimes it’s okay to let God know that your are frustrated and that you feel this way. He wants you to cry out to Him.

As I was going through this painful time conversations from friends (One in particular) reminded me that although this memory is painful, God is sovereign. Yes, He could have stopped certain events from playing out if He wanted to, however God has a purpose that He can birth from my pain.

I also spoke to a friend who was struggling with the same feelings. Her realness showed me that I wasn’t the only one going through this.

Our pain is temporary.

Ultimately heaven is our home and there is so much more to life then what we see going on around us.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

~ Romans 8:18 ~

This Scripture reminds me that the pain that we may go through on earth is only temporary and does not compare to what God has in store for us.

God uses our pain to comfort others.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ~

Sometimes when we go through pain, God wants us to help others that are going or have gone through the same thing. For example, if you have been through a bereavement, you could help somebody else who is going through a bereavement.

Jesus also went through pain and suffering. We call this redemptive suffering and we see this when Jesus died on the cross for us.

Jesus suffered in order to fulfill God’s plan and reveal His infinite love for us. His pain was used for His own glory and He is more than able to use our pain to bring His Glory and to vindicate us.

In summary, your pain will never stop God’s purpose for your life. Just don’t give up.

When you are going through pain remember these key things:

1. Walk By Faith.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

~ 2 Corinthians 5:7 ~

Sometimes when we are hurting it is hard to hold on to our faith. We want a way out and it may look like anything is happening. God does not tell you when He is going to bring you through it, however He promises that He WILL bring you through it. This is where we have to walk by faith and not by what we see around us.

2. God is Sovereign.

God is sovereign. Remember in the midst of your suffering He is in complete control and knows the beginning from the end.

“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.”

~ Isaiah 46:10 ~

3. Trust God and allow Him to direct your steps.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

~ Proverbs 3:5-6 ~

God wants us to trust Him when we are going through trying times. Although we do not understand, God is still God. If we lean on Him, He will direct our paths.

4. God is a Restorer.

“And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

~ Job 42:10 ~

In the story of Job we see a number of tragic events happen to him. He loses his children and livelihood in the space of one day. It doesn’t just stop there though, we also see an attack on his health and his friends even accuse him of secret sin as a reason for his suffering.

Sometimes in life painful event after painful event happens and it feels like all hell is breaking loose in our lives. It is tempting to give up on our faith, however we see in Jobs story that he endured his trials and God restored everything he had.

“Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;…”

~ Job 42:12 ~

God can restore you too.

5. Be Patient.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

~ James 1:2-4 ~

When you are going through pain and it feels as though there is no way forward, remain patient and do not give up. Through your pain God wants to perfect and complete you.

6. There is a Purpose.

God says:

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

~ Jeremiah 29:11 ~

My prayer is that if you are going through pain, that God will open your eyes to His word and you will truly believe that God has a purpose in every pain you have been through.

Stay blessed and encouraged

Nkay

xoxo