3 Reasons God Allows Pain
How do I get over the pain? Life is filled with pain and it somehow finds us all.But we can begin to find some solace when we are in the midst of it as long as we know that there is a purpose. After recent tragedy struck the lives of a local family, I gained a little clarity on the subject that I hope you will find helpful.
Like anyone, I’ve experienced a great deal of pain in my life. Learning how to respond to it has been one of my greatest struggles. It’s so easy for me to try to avoid any risk that might lead to it or, if I’m in the midst of it, complain about it.
Yet I have come to believe that as we become more accepting of the pain that comes into our lives, we can gain a little clarity into its purpose.
“But, Aaron,” I can hear many of you say. “You don’t know my pain.” You are correct, I don’t.
But I do know people who have struggled with debilitating health concerns, had children fighting Leukemia, or most recently who have faced the tragic loss of a spouse. And all of these people I am thinking of would tell me today that, although they may have opted out of the pain if given a choice, they understood that there was a purpose in it and took comfort in that.
The Story of Murray
As I write this, just a few days ago—the day before Thanksgiving 2017—a man I went to high school with and who attended my church was tragically killed. Murray was a good man. He was hardworking and loved his family. His death was painful beyond words and his absence has left a gaping hole in our community.
Yet his family showed up to church THAT Sunday and even managed to cast a smile or two throughout the morning. Just their presence was greatly inspiring.
I was impressed by the certainty and grace that Murray’s wife, Jackie, exhibited. There was such an assurance about her. And where did that assurance come from? She said she knew that many people would come to know the love and comfort of Jesus Christ through her loss.
That is a woman who understands the power of pain to help others!
Your pain is equipping you to contribute to the needs of humanity in greater ways than you can imagine. I see this occurring in three ways:
1- How You Handle Your Pain Inspires Others
Through Murray’s passing, Jackie has been such an inspiration to others. Her ability to walk this difficult road allows all of us who know her to put our own struggles in better perspective. The entire community experienced a wake-up call in two very important ways:
First, for must of us, our “pain” is nothing of the sort that Murray’s family has experienced. Whatever it is that the majority of us who knew him are going through is nothing compared to that of his family. So, Jackie’s ability to manage her pain not only puts mine into perspective but helps inspire me to deal with it so much better. It brings much greater resolve to those around them to face their own, lesser problems.
Second, it inspires us to not be as fearful of tragedy in our own lives. Death is scary. But Jackie’s experience shows me that it is not the end of everyone else’s life. It can be managed and her courage is leading that example in the lives of hundreds of others. Her persistence through the worst life can bring instills hope.
If you are facing your own tragic circumstances, your process of managing it can inspire others to levels they could not have reached otherwise.
2- You Learn How To Comfort Others
What I have seen from many who have faced unspeakable pain is their ability to comfort and mentor others in the midst of their own struggles.
When the next wife in our community unexpectedly loses her husband guess who is equipped to speak into that pain with complete credibility? Jackie, that’s who.
She has “earned” the right to guide and comfort others who may not know where to turn. She is now a world-class teacher on the subject. She may also be the only one who will truly understand.
Jackie may not see it quite yet but God will use her to make a way through for others when they might not see hope otherwise. She will be able to help others who no one else can quite reach the same way.
Will that bring her comfort in the coming weeks and months? I don’t know. But it is a purpose that all people who undergo tragedy are uniquely enabled to help others as their similar needs arise. I’m positive that Jackie will one day see that and that the knowledge will bring her a sacred joy that few others know.
3- Others Get The Opportunity To Help YOU
With Murray’s passing, it was encouraging to see his church and community shower his family in love. There was comfort, there was assistance, there was love in action.
Although his loss was difficult it was honored by the fact that others benefited by the opportunity to fulfill the need that rose from it.
We know the axiom that it is better to give than receive. For the most part we all believe that statement because we’ve all experienced it. We all are put in a better position by helping others through their difficult situations. But we sometimes need a little shove to prompt the giving heart.
Having the opportunity to give when it really helps flips on a light switch in the collective hearts of a community. It sets in motion a monumental current of positive energy that would not likely have been set free if not for the pain that you are experiencing. Your pain is helping others by helping them be better human beings. Your pain is working miracles in the lives of those around you by helping them rise to the occasion.
Take Away
Even if you are not in the midst of a painful experience right now, you will be at some point. It’s easy to try to avoid it but that is foolish—no one can escape life pain-free.
And if you are in the middle of that painful experience it’s easy to be discouraged. I would like to instill some hope in you and say don’t be.
Take a lesson from Murray’s story and try, as difficult as it may be, to see the purpose in it. See how God is using you to impact others in ways you never could have before.
I’m not saying it’s easy. But I will tell you it is possible to get through it like so many countless people before. The easiest way I know to do that is to see the purpose in it.
Remember that your pain inspires others, helps you comfort and assist others, and allows others to help you. In all ways, God has given you a special calling to provide a one-of-a-kind contribution to your fellow man. He has allowed your pain to open doors you couldn’t have otherwise. Your pain is serving to make humanity better.
Hello, my name is Aaron Force. I’m a blogger based in Seattle, Washington. I’ve been spiritually-minded for most of my life. Unfortunately, I’ve also lost my way during much of that time. I felt a seed of greatness hidden somewhere deep down inside but was blinded from it. That is until I experienced an honest-to-goodness calling and moment of awakening. I would be lying if I told you I had it all figured out. But I’m here to tell my story and maybe, just maybe, help you become aware of an even more amazing universe than the one your rational mind already knows.
Aaron Force is a blogger from Seattle, Washington. He writes to educate others about the nature of an expanded consciousness to evolve humanity. Aaron unexpectedly experienced his own profound awakening and ego transcendence in 2015 and soon understood that the qualities of his own experience (a greater expansion and evolution in his life) could be applied to mankind collectively.