Many have wondered how a good and loving God could allow pain and suffering in the world. Shouldn’t life be smooth, joyful, and free of hardship, especially since God is sovereign and rules everything? This question has puzzled people for centuries, and yet, when we look closely, we can begin to see that pain has a deeper purpose.

I remember praying so much for my mother and hoping the cancer that had ravaged her body wouldn’t take her but somehow God would heal her. She had faith and I was just a teenager with not so much understanding of prayers or healing. I just wanted my mom alive, however, I deal with the pain of her loss every other now that I’m in my late 20s. 

You see, life is full of beautiful moments—celebrations, laughter, and love. But it’s also filled with hardship, loss, and heartache. From the first breath a baby takes to the struggles of raising that child, building a career, or maintaining relationships, pain is a reality we cannot escape. Yet, through the lens of faith, we see that pain is not just a burden—it can be a blessing in disguise.

One story that offers a glimpse of how pain can serve a greater purpose is the Life of Job. He was a righteous man who lived a life pleasing to God. Yet, there was a season in his life when he experienced immense pain simply for his faith in God. Losing everything—his wealth, health, and children—was enough reason for him to curse God; at least, that was what his wife proposed. 

But Job didn’t turn away from God. He cried out, questioned, and wrestled with his pain, but he never let go of his faith. In the end, God restored everything to Job—his wealth, health, and family. Yet, the true gift wasn’t the restoration itself. It was the deeper relationship Job developed with God through his suffering. Job’s pain became the very thing that brought him closer to God, allowing him to see God’s goodness in a way he hadn’t before.

Job’s story teaches us that pain is not always a punishment or something to fear. It is often a pathway to spiritual growth, a tool God uses to deepen our trust in Him. He doesn’t wish for it but it can be used for the greater good when our imperfect world steps in.

God is not the author of pain, but he takes advantage of our pain to work something precious in us. When you think about the beauty and relevance of gold, you can only owe it to the furnace. When you begin to see yourself as precious, just like gold, it becomes easier to see the treasures hidden within the pain.  

The pain we experience today is a result of the presence of sin in the world and the ignorance that still lurks in our minds. Jesus told his disciples, “In this world, you will have tribulations, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Sometimes, the pain we feel can block our hearts from understanding, but in my experience, it has helped me with three profound things and I believe would do the same for you.

1. The Gift of Compassion

Experiencing pain can lead to a greater sense of compassion and empathy. When we go through tough times, it equips us to be better support to others who are struggling. Our own experiences of pain allow us to empathize with and comfort those facing similar challenges. 

Just as 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “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 receive from God.” Our pain becomes a way for us to help and support others, and our healing journey can inspire and uplift those in need.

2. Points us to Jesus

Ultimately, pain points us to the cross. Jesus, who endured unimaginable suffering, shows us that pain can lead to something glorious. His crucifixion brought about our redemption and gave us hope for eternity. In our suffering, we can be reminded that Jesus understands our pain. He walks with us, offering peace, comfort, and the promise that our pain will not last forever. 

Romans 8:18 reminds us that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Our pain, as real and intense as it may be, is temporary. God promises us eternal joy with Him.

3. The Gift of Joy 

Every pain we experience in life presents an opportunity for us to understand and cherish true joy. The feeling of childbirth is considered one of the most severe types of pain that a person is capable of feeling.

Yet, this pain signifies one of life’s greatest blessings – the gift of having a child or bringing new life into the world. No matter how challenging and prolonged the labor may be, the moment a mother gazes at her newborn for the first time, the pain dissipates. It is not erased but rather overshadowed by the profound and all-encompassing joy of a new life entering the world.

This is the paradox of pain—that in most cases, it comes as preparation for great joy. As a mother’s effort and hard work give birth to a child, every drop of sweat and every pain we have can give birth to something beautiful, depending on God’s time and purpose.

So, the next time you ask yourself, “Why me?” remember Job and the joy of a mother after labor, and remember me writing to encourage you after years of losing my mom as an only child. Trust that, in God’s hands, pain can be the very thing that leads you to a deeper joy and a stronger faith. Pain is a gift—not because of how it feels, but because of what it produces in us. It draws us closer to God and reminds us that He is always good no matter what we face.