A certain memory was triggered when one of my triplets came back from school in tears recently (I mention the reason below). There is a question that a lot of people like to ask, “Why does a good God allow pain and suffering to His people?” Have you ever wondered if there is any beauty and purpose in pain in Christian life?

Let me share a true story with you in my post today. When I was around 14 years old, my family and I, took a mission road trip back in India. That trip will always remain to be one of my fondest memories because I learned valuable lessons as a young girl that would shape me later in life.

We had stopped to rest at a missionary’s home one Saturday morning  so that we could worship the Lord the next day with the saints over there. I remember looking around that Sunday morning to take a glance at the people in the Church who were walking in before the worship began.

Leprosy and Purpose of pain

I noticed a group of people were sitting on one side and their faces and hands were disfigured. I later came to know there were believers who had leprosy. Wonderful believers singing and praising the Savior together.

Leprosy is an infectious disease and people who have contacted them suffer because they are stigmatized a lot. But what caught my attention was that this disease robs you from feeling pain due to nerve damage. THAT SHOULD BE A GREAT NEWS, RIGHT?

But if a patient with leprosy cannot perceive pain then they cannot take any measure to prevent future injuries or damages. They may lose their fingers, or toes and never feel it.

Do you now see your pain as a gift or a curse?For a leper, the best gift would be the gift of experiencing pain.

The definition of pain, “It is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons”

If you ask me, I don’t want to feel pain because it is unbearable. It took me close to two decades to heal from my childhood trauma. The sting of betrayals, rejections, abuse, brokenness, sicknesses, and violence are too much to handle on this earth.

Here are 4 incredible reasons behind the beauty and purpose of pain in Christian life

1. PAIN tells us to pay attention

Imagine losing a hand or another body part and never feeling pain?

• Have you been living with the guilt of sin and a broken heart?
• Have you ignored your symptoms of pain?

Pain is our best teacher and points to us the areas we need to act and find our way back to our pain-reliever (GOD)

Psalm 69:29 I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.

Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil. Job 14:1 NASB

May your heartaches pull you closer to the ONE who carried your sorrows on that cruel Cross.

“God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.” – Saint Augustine. Do you see pain as a blessing or curse

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2. PAIN reminds us touch the hem of our Savior.

The purpose of pain in Christian life be it body aches, heartaches, and broken soul must remind us to make an appointment with our Greatest Physician.

Just like you would NEVER ignore a lump, a greenish blue bruise all over your body, a fracture, or a concussion, we must never forget to reach out to touch our Savior’s hem.

Christ Himself wept out aloud on the Cross saying “Eli Eli lama sabachthani” – My GOD, my God , why have you forsaken me” in the Gospels.

The Son of God cried and reached out to HIS Father in His darkest hour of deep anguish.

Jesus Christ partakes with us in our hour of pain and suffering and there will come a day when HE will wipe our tears and take us to a place where there will be no more pain.

“A teardrop on earth summons the King of heaven.” Chuck Swindoll

Psalm 20:1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

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3. PAIN teaches us to be compassionate

My 5-year-old came running to me in tears after school today and said,” My classmate said he doesn’t like me, so he won’t play with me”. I wanted to erase my little boy’s pain, but this mama knows she cannot protect him all the time. Their stay in the NICU after being born at 26 weeks taught me that as well.

I used that moment to wipe his tears, hug him, and teach him valuable advice that will keep him going in life.

–Best of the best friends will suddenly block us and stop talking to us.

–Bosses who once praised our work ethic will decide to lay us off.

–Parents will suddenly choose to turn their backs in our time of need.

“The sympathy of Jesus is the next most precious thing to his sacrifice.” Charles Spurgeon

A nameless Jericho man was brutally beaten and robbed of his clothes plus valuables on his way. He was even ignored by the priest and the Levi. This Jericho man’s painful story is our story as well.

How many times we have been also robbed of our joy by the evil surrounding us? But our stories don’t end in pain. Here is the beauty and purpose of pain, my friend.

Suddenly the good Samaritan stops, steps down, cleans our deep wounds and carries us on HIS broad shoulder. God sends compassionate people into our lives and uses us to be a kind Samaritan to others in their pain.

4. PAIN strengthens our faith and has an expiration date.

Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statues.

Did you know that this great man of God, Charles Spurgeon struggled with a lifelong battle with depression and severe pain? His quotes says it all ” When you go through a trial,the sovereignty of God is the pillow upon which you lay your heart.”

Job suffered the loss of his health, wealth, and precious children. Friends and even his own life wanted Job give up on his faith. Yet he chose to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). Job knew that His Redeemer lives and can restore double of whatever he lost.

Great men and women of God like Abraham, Daniel, Job, Paul, Ruth, Elizabeth, and Hannah walked closer with God amidst their pain.

Christ’s pain on that cruel cross led to the salvation of mankind.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. C. S.Lewis

Pain and suffering on this earth is inevitable but there is an end for misery and brokenness for a Christian (Read Revelation 21:4) No other religions can promise such a thing.

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These verses have comforted me to understand the purpose of pain as a Christian woman:

A ) James 1: 2-3 NIV 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.

B) Romans 8:17,18 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

C) Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

D) 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God;

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

E) John 16:22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

REFLECTION:

Pain simply means you are alive in Christ and that your sufferings will be your greatest ministry.

How do you see the purpose of pain in Christian life?

So, my friend, how did this post comfort you? Won’t you share this with someone who is struggling to understand the purpose of pain ? I would love to hear back from you, drop a comment below 🙂

Until we meet again

Diana