Purpose in Pain
Updated: Feb 16, 2022
There is purpose for your pain and trials. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
The tribulations and pain that you face in life are not wasted. They have purpose and they do something inside you that you cannot fathom.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed; Because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us." ~Romans 5:1-5
The weight of tribulation and suffering in our lives produces far more than our human eyes can see. We live in a world that runs from and resists every sort of pain and trial. We seek comfort, protection and ease. It is at the core of our human nature to do so. BUT, we serve a loving Father who knows far better what is best for us. We can't get through this life without troubles of all kinds. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that in the world ye shall have tribulation. He also told us in that same verse, be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I have heard it said that we should imagine sufferings with this word picture in mind. Think about a weight lifter as he lifts up those heavy, heavy weights over his head. His body shakes and trembles as he holds that weight above him. As he is doing this, something is happening inside of him that can't be seen. He is gaining strength and building muscle moment by moment under the massive weight. His strength does not come all at once. It comes slowly. A little more comes each time he bears up under those weights.
God is so gracious and merciful. He builds character in us slowly, a little more with each trial. We need not run from tribulation. We can embrace it as a gift from the One who loves us and knows how to shape us. We can rejoice in our suffering and trials knowing that He is building our character with each trial.
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." ~Romans 8:17-18
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