Pain Has A Purpose

Everything, including pain, was designed to direct

our minds and our hearts back to our Creator. That

is the ultimate reason for our existence.

Pain and storms are almost inevitable in life. We

will all experience the quiet crucible of despair

and heartbreak, whether emotional or physical, at

some point in our lives.

We, like countless others, may have started to

question how can we live a meaningful and

significant life. The truth is that we live

meaningful lives simply because we were

created in the image of God , and

God is the Source of our meaning.

We are living in the same world as Jesus... one

brimming with simple pleasure, unexpectedness,

hardship, and hope.

Life can be amazing, pleasurable, and fair at

times. On the contrary, life can be disheartening,

biased, and highly complicated. We may pray

with no sense that God is hearing us. Divine

silence is a part of this life in many ways.

When we have been treated unfairly,

mischaracterized, deceived, violated, or betrayed,

it can be incredibly hurtful. We yearn for divine

justice, either inwardly or outwardly. It's difficult,

if not unsettling, to hear nothing whatsoever in

response.

God has a plan for each of us. He made the earth

and positioned us here to have trust and find

comfort. Our difficulties help us to grow and

begin preparing us to live with Him again.

God is fully aware and devoted to carrying out the

purposes for the pain He has allowed.

Suffering and godliness are inherently connected.

We suffer at the hands of the world at times because

we are carrying out God's Will.

The world loathes truth and will

go to any length to eliminate it.

John 16:1-4

According to Second Timothy 3:12, "truly, all

who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus

will be persecuted." Both believing and sharing

Jesus' suffering, according to Paul, are required

components of righteous living.

Suffering and trials are an inescapable part of the

Believer's life. Suffering for Christ is a privilege,

according to Paul. Whatever suffering a Believer

endures,

Christ is worthy of it.

God allows people to suffer, but

not all suffering is caused by sin.

Suffering, according to Jesus, can

be for the glory of God.

John 9:1-7

Joseph suffered as a result of his

siblings' sins.

Although Joseph's brothers intended to harm him,

God intended for his suffering to accomplish good

things, including saving the lives of many people,

including his evil brothers.

Genesis 50:20

It can be difficult to see how God is working

in our misfortune. Instead of explaining why

we suffer, the Bible teaches us how to cope

with it.

Pain and storms are inevitable in life. We

can still go hungry, get sick, mourn, and die

in this life.

Philippians 2:25-28; Romans 8:18-24

Whether it is emotional or physical pain, we

will all go through valleys of suffering and pain

at some point in our lives.

God wants us to grow, and will sometimes

use suffering to discipline us for our benefit.

Hebrews 12:7-13

Suffering can build our faith so we can serve

God better. So, after we have suffered a little

while, God will restore, support, and strengthen

us. God will place us on a firm foundation.

1 Peter 5:10

Through suffering, God shapes and molds us

into people who honor His Name and bless

others.

Pain changes people.

There can be no growth

without pain.

Pain and suffering have a way of stripping away

those things that do not bring out the best in us.

Through suffering, God can shape us.

Pain can wake us

up to God.

Life in the crucible of testing and tribulation

produces some of the richest, fullest, and most

fruitful lives. There can be no coming to

consciousness without suffering. Imaginings do

not lead to enlightenment.

There are times when both the righteous

and the wicked suffer.

Job 1–2

Suffering is universal.

All creation suffers.

Romans 8:22

If we have compassion for those we see,

we suffer with them.

“Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers

to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences,

but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse

a deaf world.”

― C.S. Lewis

In our suffering, we are most aware of God's nature.

When our self-sufficiency is stripped away, we

realize how frail we really are. As God says to

Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9,

"My power is made perfect in

weakness."

God allows us to taste His power most intimately

through our suffering.

In our brokenness, we can see

God's perfect strength as He

carries us through.

Suffering and pain can help us learn important life

lessons. The valley of suffering can mould our

personalities and keep us from becoming overly proud.

Our personal pain also speaks volumes to those

around us, providing us with a sort of stage.

Life's dark and difficult seasons can lead to

repentance and salvation, as well as help us put

our trust in God.

Experiencing and enduring exceptionally

difficult seasons may both stretch and grow us.

Challenges can provide significant insights,

help us develop godly character, deepen our faith,

and provide many instructional moments for

those who are directly involved.

Even the most traumatic circumstances appear

to hold hidden blessings. We can be an inspiration

to others when we face the agony and journey

through the valley of sorrow.

No one comes out of

the valley of pain and suffering...

unchanged.

As painful as it is,

pain and suffering has a way of stripping away

those things that will not bring out the best in us.

Pain can often help us find a new sense of purpose,

acceptance of what is happening, and the realization

of inner peace.

Those valleys of suffering will not go away

until the reason for their arrival has been accomplished.

God is masterful enough to divinely orchestrate

all of our trials and tribulations, in such a way,

that they ultimately draw us towards being the

people God desires for us to be.

Let us keep in mind...

whatever brings us

closer to God is a blessing.

God uses the most painful

suffering for good.

Those painful periods can serve as

powerful and purposeful lessons.

May our response to pain and suffering

lead us to

look beyond the pain and suffering

in the attempt to

see God’s higher purposes

and what God wants to teach us.

Let us always remember

and never forget:

God does not leave us hopeless or in

despair as we navigate

through these valleys of suffering.

Time and time again….

God promises and provides...

His amazing grace.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

that saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found,

was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear...

and Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

As God ordains suffering in our lives, may we

embrace it, knowing it will be for our good,

both now and forever.