Pain is part of life, but how often do we run from it instead of facing it?
Understanding Pain's Purpose
In this life, pain is inevitable. Whether it comes from physical hardships, emotional struggles, or spiritual battles, we all experience it. Yet, instead of embracing pain as part of our growth, we often go to great lengths to avoid it. Why? It’s because pain is uncomfortable. It reminds us of our limitations, our weaknesses, and even our failures.
But what if pain has a purpose? What if it’s a tool that God uses to shape us, to teach us, and to draw us closer to Him? James 1:2-4 reminds us, "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." Pain, when we allow it to, strengthens our faith and builds our character.
The Cost of Avoiding Pain
Avoiding pain can be costly. We numb ourselves with distractions—television, social media, food, or even unhealthy relationships—hoping to escape the discomfort. While these temporary fixes might shield us for a moment, they often lead us to deeper struggles: spiritual stagnation, emotional emptiness, and missed opportunities for growth.
Consider the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. God had promised them the land of Canaan, but the road to the promise required trust, perseverance, and yes, pain. Instead of embracing the challenges as part of their journey, they complained and longed for the "comforts" of Egypt, even though it represented their slavery (Exodus 16:3).
Are we not the same? When faced with trials, we often long for the familiar, even if it binds us, rather than stepping into the unknown where freedom and growth await.
Pain and Spiritual Warfare
Much of the pain we encounter comes from spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
The enemy uses pain to discourage us, to make us doubt God’s goodness, and to tempt us into disobedience. But here’s the truth: pain can be a weapon in God’s hands, not just the enemy’s. When we surrender our pain to God, He transforms it into something powerful—a testimony, a lesson, a source of hope for others.
Take Job, for instance. His suffering was immense, but his unwavering faith through the pain glorified God and revealed the enemy’s limits. Similarly, Jesus endured the ultimate pain on the cross, not just for His own victory but for ours.
Embracing Pain for God's Glory
To embrace pain doesn’t mean to enjoy it, but to see it through the lens of God’s purpose. Romans 8:28 assures us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Ask yourself: What is God teaching me through this pain? How can I grow closer to Him? How can my experience help someone else? These questions shift our perspective from avoidance to acceptance, from fear to faith.
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 resonate deeply: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Practical Steps to Face Pain
Pray for Strength and UnderstandingBring your pain before God. Ask Him for wisdom to understand its purpose and for strength to endure it.
Lean on CommunityPain can feel isolating, but we’re called to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Share your struggles with trusted friends or family who can pray with you and encourage you.
Focus on God’s PromisesMeditate on scriptures that remind you of God’s faithfulness. His Word is a powerful tool to combat despair and doubt.
Take One Step at a TimeHealing and growth are processes. Trust God with the next step, even if you don’t see the whole picture.
The Reward of Endurance
Pain is not the end of the story. Hebrews 12:11 tells us, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
When we stop avoiding pain and start embracing it, we experience a deeper relationship with God, greater spiritual maturity, and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
So, why are we avoiding pain? Let us instead lean into it, trusting that God will use it to shape us into the people He created us to be.
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