Trusting God through Pain: A Guide for Life’s Hardest Paths
Have you ever been at a celebration where the conversation just isn’t clicking? Try mentioning pain. Watch how quickly everyone gets uncomfortable. Pain is a subject we are inclined to avoid, yet it’s something all of us experience. Whether it’s heartbreak, loss, sickness, or challenges at work, pain doesn’t discriminate—it’s a part of the human condition.
But here’s the deal: pain isn’t just an issue to resolve; it’s a pathway to walk. And the Bible offers us a guide to navigate it. In Proverbs 3:5–6, we’re invited to trust God completely, lean not on our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways. These verses aren’t just nice to read; they’re a map for getting through life’s hardest moments.
Pain and God’s Purpose
One of the toughest questions people wrestle with is, “Why does a superb God allow pain?” It’s a legitimate query. School shootings, devastating illnesses, and private losses make us wonder, “Where’s God on this?”
The truth is, we live in a broken world—a world stuffed with beauty and yet marred by sin. Pain exists because humanity selected its own way over God’s. But here’s the hope: God doesn’t waste pain. He uses it. The Bible is full of stories of people that faced unimaginable suffering:
-Job, who lost every thing, only to find God’s faithfulness in the long run.
-Joseph, who endured betrayal and imprisonment before becoming a key leader.
-Paul, who begged God to remove his “thorn within the flesh” but learned that God’s grace was sufficient.
God didn’t remove their pain; He walked with them through it. And in every instance, the pain had a purpose.
The Path We Choose
Jesus talks about two paths in Matthew 7: the wide path that results in destruction and the narrow path that results in life. The wide path is less complicated and more popular but ultimately empty. The narrow path—His path—requires trust and give up.
Pain has a way of clarifying which path we’re on. Are we trusting in ourselves, or are we surrendering to God? Walking with God doesn’t mean the road will likely be smooth, nevertheless it does mean the destination will likely be value it.
4 Questions to Ask When You Are in Pain
When you’re facing pain, ask yourself these 4 inquiries to align your perspective with God’s guarantees:
1. What am I experiencing, and what does God want me to do with it?
Pain demands motion. It is likely to be confronting a sin, forgiving someone, or just learning to trust God within the uncertainty.
2. Why is that this happening, and why should I trust God?
The reality is we may never fully understand why pain happens. But Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to “lean not on our own understanding.” Sometimes, the “why” isn’t for us to know—it’s for us to trust that God knows.
3. When should I give up this pain to God?
The answer? Now. Proverbs 3:6 calls us to acknowledge Him in all our ways, not only when life feels manageable.
4. Where is that this pain leading me?
Pain has the potential to take us closer to God or farther from Him. Our outlook shapes the final result. Will you let your pain define you, or will you let God refine you thru it?
How to Trust God through Every Step of a Painful Season
Imagine navigating a dense jungle—quickly realizing you would like a guide. That’s life with Jesus. He doesn’t just point the way in which; He is the way in which. Like a guide cutting through thick vegetation, He clears a path, one step at a time.
When you trust Jesus, you’re not only surviving pain; you’re walking through it with purpose. His nail-scarred hands are proof that He understands your hurt. His resurrection is proof that your story isn’t over.
Knowing When and How to Move Forward
Pain isn’t something to recover from; it’s something to maneuver through. And moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting—it means letting God lead. Whether your pain is physical, emotional, or spiritual, trust Him. He’s not only walking beside you; He’s gone ahead of you, making your path straight.
So, what pain are you carrying today? Ask yourself: What? Why? When? Where? Then, take a step of trust. Surrender the hurt. Let God transform your pain into an affidavit.
Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?
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Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Jordan Bauer
Through Ed Young Ministries, Ed extends his passion for helping people grow of their faith by providing inspirational content, online sermons, and practical resources for Christian living. With a heart for equipping church leaders, Ed launched C3 Global, CreativePastors.com, and the Creative Church Conference (C3)—initiatives that provide coaching, teaching, and resources to hundreds of pastors and ministry leaders. He can also be a prolific creator, addressing topics reminiscent of leadership, marriage, and Christian living. His New York Times bestselling book, Sexperiment: 7 Days to Lasting Intimacy with Your Spouse, challenges couples to strengthen their relationships through biblical principles. Other popular titles include The Marriage Mirror, The Creative Leader, and Outrageous, Contagious Joy.
For powerful messages, life-changing resources, and ways to grow in your faith, visit Ed Young Ministries.
