Is There Purpose In Pain?

No one likes pain. I think we can all agree that pain is not a fun part of life. However, can there be purpose in our pain?

Now let me clear. God is absolutely good. He does not cause bad things to happen to people. Bad things happen because of our own poor choices, because of someone else’s poor choices, or because we live in a fallen world. John 16:33 in the Passion Translations says, “For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!” 

I think one of the ways the Lord takes revenge on the enemy is for us to find purpose in our pain. When you go through a tumultuous time, whatever that may look like in your own life, there are places God can meet you that you may not experience when everything is going well. 

David articulates this well in Psalm 23:4-5 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” You will notice in this passage that David does not say thank you Lord for taking all my enemies away. In our modern world David may have said, thank you Lord for taking all my problems away. Thank you that I never have to deal with a relational issue or a financial issue or a health issue. But it does not say that. Instead, David is thanking the Lord for providing for him in the midst of his problems. Despite the problems staring David in the face the Lord is providing for him, comforting him, and filling him with the Holy Spirit. 

Isn’t this provision revenge on the enemy? In the very place of our darkness where it is difficult to see the Lord or how He is at work, He is preparing a table for us. I want you to imagine this with me. Whatever the problem is that you are facing right now, imagine that God sets a beautiful table in front of that problem. The table is decked out in the finest linens and china. He walks you to the table and pulls out the chair for you. On the table are all your favorite foods. Also, on the table is a beautiful crystal glass filled overflowing with His peace, as well as a gorgeous bowl overflowing with His love. As you sit at the table, you begin to feel his comforting presence like never before. 

This is what David is describing in Psalm 23. This is a God who meets us in our darkest place and gives us exactly what we need in the face of our enemies. In these times, we experience things of God we might not experience otherwise. 

There are many examples in the Bible of people who chose to trust God and found purpose in their pain. Some that come to mind are Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Ruth, and Esther. One that always sticks out to me though is Paul.

Paul originally opposed Christ and the New Testament church. In Paul’s zeal of thinking he was doing the right thing, Paul was actually imprisoning and killing Christians. Paul had a radical encounter with the Lord and realized he had to change. To read more about Paul’s story, I invite you to read Impactful Decisions. After Paul’s transformation, he began traveling and preaching the word of the Lord. Then Paul became imprisoned. 

Paul could have easily felt sorry for himself. He could have questioned God or become bitter. Instead Paul began writing letters to the churches where he had visited and preached, encouraging, directing and correcting them. In doing so, Paul wrote a significant portion of the New Testament. 

I am sure if I was Paul or if I lived during his time and knew him, my prayers would have definitely been centered around the Lord delivering Paul from prison. In my limited thought process I probably would have thought if only Paul could be set free from prison, he could be doing so much more for the body of Christ that needs him. 

However, God had another purpose. Paul’s inspired words to the churches at that time are still the words we read, study and discuss as modern day Christians. These are also the words God uses to bring us closer to Him. God used Paul’s imprisonment for His purposes and what a purpose it was!

It is easy to view our pain with limited sight. We don’t like pain. That is okay. We are not supposed to. However, I challenge you to look at the pain points in your life in a new way. What is God’s purpose there? Does He want to meet you in a different way? Will your pain story help other people? What is he setting up so that you can speak to the generations that come after you? How will finding purpose in your pain bring revenge on the enemy?

Remember friend, God is always for you, never against you. There is purpose in your pain and God can and will show you what that is if you ask him. He loves you more than you can understand. He is ever present and wants to constantly draw closer to you. You just have to invite Him. 

For more articles on purpose, check out these links.

Why Purpose Is a Lifelong Promise by Dianne Vielhuber. https://simplewordsoffaith.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=11063&action=edit

The Best Parenting Advice Ever: Find and Pursue Life Purpose by Ashley Olivine https://www.ashleyolivine.com/best-parenting-advice/

What Happens When Your Purpose is a Disappointment? by Lori Shoaf
https://www.dirttrailjunkies.org/inspiring-stories/what-happens-when-your-purpose-is-a-disappointments-a-disappointment