Do you believe that God wastes nothing in seasons of trials? We might say that, but to believe it as we walk through pain is something else. Finding purpose in the pain caused by a broken world is something that requires an eternal perspective. During dark seasons, there are times we can only see what is in front of our faces. Having an eternal perspective seems beyond our reach. 

But having an eternal perspective is possible because the Bible declares God is in control even when our lives seem dark and chaotic. 

If you are in a season of darkness, it is an opportunity to seek God’s Word, having faith that joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Finding purpose in the pain starts with seeking God’s Word. Then you need to speak God’s Word. Finally, submit to God’s Word.

Seek God’s Word 

When you experience pain, suffering, discouragement, and doubt, you can wonder if God knows what you are going through. He can feel far away. But the Word of God reminds you that you have a High Priest who does understand your weaknesses and sympathizes with you. 

In dark seasons, we can run from God rather than to Him. Don’t. Instead, pause and seek His Word. Jesus told us pain and suffering would be part of our lives. But He also promised us peace and reminds us He has overcome the world. 

• “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”—John 14:27
• “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:6-7
• “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33
• “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”—Hebrews 4:15

When you seek God’s Word, you will find it…

• Reminds you that Jesus understands your pain (Hebrews 4:15)
• Tells you He gives peace beyond understanding in your pain (John 14:27, Philippians 4:7)
• Encourages you because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)

Speak God’s Word

Finding purpose in the pain requires us to speak and pray God’s Word. In trying times, we are tempted to grumble, complain, and focus on what we don’t have. Yes, this is part of the healing process, but God doesn’t want us to stay there. 

To move forward, speak and pray God’s promises. He wants you to pray and ask for what you need with a thankful heart. This isn’t always easy, but He wants you to see what He has already done and brought you through so that you trust Him to be faithful, even in the fiery trials of life. 

Part of finding purpose in the pain involves relying on and praying for God’s promises to be worked out in your life. It creates a testimony! 

• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”—Philippians 4:6
• “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”—Hebrews 4:16
• “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”—Revelation 12:11

When you speak God’s Word, you will…

• Find your anxious thoughts released to Him (Philippians 4:6)
• Receive mercy and grace in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
• Build a testimony of who He is and what He has done (Revelation 12:11)

Submit to God’s Word

To submit means to yield, give way, or bow. When you submit to God’s Word, you operate from and out of it. You surrender to Him, and He has authority and control in your life. In other words, you do God’s Word even when you don’t feel like doing it because you believe He knows best. 

Likewise, pain and suffering are ways God sets the stage for making His supernatural work come to pass in your life. 

• “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”—James 1:22, 25
• “…for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.”—2 Timothy 2:9
• “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”—Philippians 4:8-9

When you submit to God’s Word, we will…

• Not forget God’s power (James 1:25)
• See how God’s Word endures and cannot be chained (2 Timothy 2:9)
• Receive peace (Philippians 4:9)

An Eternal Perspective on Your Pain

Having an eternal perspective helps us find purpose in the pain. The pain we endure today is temporary, but the joy we will experience in the future is eternal. Yes, Jesus paid the penalty of sin and broke its power over us, but sin remains until His triumphant return. We live in an “evil age” (Galatians 1:4) and will endure pain and suffering. 

Revelation 21:4 gives you an eternal perspective, helping you find purpose in the pain. 

• “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

This day is coming, and God will be glorified! 

Your pain is used by God for your good and His glory. 

Find purpose in pain by seeing how God…

• Displays His authority, power, goodness, and sovereignty
• Refines your character and teaches you as His child
• Uses your trial as a bold witness of the surpassing joy of being in Christ

God is close to those who are brokenhearted. Set your eyes on the things above, eternal things, and find hope and healing in God’s Word.

10 Bible Verses to Help You Find Purpose in the Pain

Romans 8:18

• “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

James 1:2-4

• “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Psalm 30:5

• “Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Romans 8:28

• “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Genesis 50:20

• “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Hebrews 12:11

• “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

1 Peter 5:10

• “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, [c]perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

• “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

• “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

Isaiah 43:2

• “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”