The Purpose in Pain
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
We know what it’s like to deal with pain. Maybe, you are walking through a painful situation right now, whether it is physical pain, relational pain, emotional pain, or spiritual pain. Maybe, you have caused pain in someone’s life and you are dealing with the repercussions of your mistake. Whichever situation you find yourself in, be encouraged that God often uses your pain to bring growth and maturity to your life. Specifically, there are three things which pain can cause us to do that will help us grow in our walk with Him:
1. Pain serves to make us lean in. Sometimes, God uses the pain in our lives to cause us to lay our head on His shoulder. We are asking for His protection and we are leaning on Him for support.
2. Pain serves to make us look up. When you go through unbelievable pain and you don’t have an answer or a resolution, you not only lean in, but you start looking up. You look up to say, “Jesus, if I’m going to make it through this, my hope is in you, and you alone.” It is powerful to be in that position.
3. Pain serves to make us look in. As we look up in our pain, we should also look in and say, “God, what do you want me to do now? What should my next steps be?” If you ask Him, He will give you that guidance and direction. He will make you aware of any changes you need to make, and He will mold you into whom He wants you to be.
Let’s take to heart the words of James, and try to see the good in our pain. Pain brings us closer to God. Pain matures and develops us as believers. Pain reminds us in whom our hope and peace are found. Also, pain develops our perseverance and resilience so that we may continue to press ahead in pursuit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know what it’s like to deal with pain. Maybe, you are walking through a painful situation right now, whether it is physical pain, relational pain, emotional pain, or spiritual pain. Maybe, you have caused pain in someone’s life and you are dealing with the repercussions of your mistake. Whichever situation you find yourself in, be encouraged that God often uses your pain to bring growth and maturity to your life. Specifically, there are three things which pain can cause us to do that will help us grow in our walk with Him:
1. Pain serves to make us lean in. Sometimes, God uses the pain in our lives to cause us to lay our head on His shoulder. We are asking for His protection and we are leaning on Him for support.
2. Pain serves to make us look up. When you go through unbelievable pain and you don’t have an answer or a resolution, you not only lean in, but you start looking up. You look up to say, “Jesus, if I’m going to make it through this, my hope is in you, and you alone.” It is powerful to be in that position.
3. Pain serves to make us look in. As we look up in our pain, we should also look in and say, “God, what do you want me to do now? What should my next steps be?” If you ask Him, He will give you that guidance and direction. He will make you aware of any changes you need to make, and He will mold you into whom He wants you to be.
Let’s take to heart the words of James, and try to see the good in our pain. Pain brings us closer to God. Pain matures and develops us as believers. Pain reminds us in whom our hope and peace are found. Also, pain develops our perseverance and resilience so that we may continue to press ahead in pursuit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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