3 Ways God Uses Physical Pain for His Glory
As he [Jesus] went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so the work of God might be displayed in his life,” (John 9:1-3, NLT, emphasis mine).
“If I only could explain how much I miss that precious moment when I was free from the shackles of chronic pain.” —J.J. Toivonen
Photo by Yuris Alhumaydy
Known as the suicide disease, it proves rare and incurable. Treatment is challenging and often ineffective. The primary symptom is chronic, unrelenting pain, present 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Remission is possible, but unlikely.
It’s called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): one of the most painful diseases in the world. I was diagnosed with this disease nearly eight years ago. Since then, I’ve tried most treatments that are available, each with little success. And yes, as readers might guess, this journey has been grueling.
My personal pain has been and still continues to be incredibly severe, but I realize I’m not walking alone. These years have also been filled with loss and great challenges for my sweet husband—one of God’s best gifts to me. For my dear children—all five of them, as well as a beautiful daughter-in-law. And for many of my closest friends. All these loved ones have held me up (sometimes literally as well as figurately), sat beside me, cried with me, served me so well, and prayed with me.
In other words, the chronic pain of CRPS may have me in its spotlight, but its rays also reflect upon those around me. I’m grateful beyond words for their love and immense sacrifices for me. And part of what God is teaching me, I have learned through them.
Today, however, I will speak of my personal pain and try to give you my honest take on my responses, the desires of my heart, and some things I have learned—all in and through the pain. Just know that pain does not define who I am although it will always be a part of who I am. Here’s the crux of what I know: whether friend or foe, pain remains a catalyst in my life for real change and transformation.
How Have I Responded to the Pain?
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5, NLT).
How have I responded to the pain? My hope, my greatest desire, is that it has been in a God-honoring way. “At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One” (Job 6:10, NLT). Many are those who have suffered throughout the millennia and have aptly compared themselves to Job ... one who endured great suffering yet arose to praise God in its midst. My prayer is that I can and will continue to do the same.
Like Joni Eareckson Tada pens, “I am writing in the midst of my experience, in the violence of a firefight, in the crush of circumstances, and in the vice grip of unrelenting pain. I am recording my combat-zone observations before the smoke has cleared, before the shells have stopped falling, before the guns have gone silent, before the long grass and wildflowers have grown over the scars of war.”
Yes, I remain in the midst of the battle, but isn’t that true for all of us who take God at His Word? For those who follow Jesus, living a life of pain and suffering still proves difficult, whether the pain is emotional, spiritual, or physical. God warned us in John 16:33 (NLT), “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John’s last sentence here makes all the difference. He has overcome the world, and that truth and great hope give peace to my soul.
Like so many before me, and perhaps like some readers, physical pain remains my constant companion. Sometimes it seems random and meaningless, and other times it seems to have deep purpose.
I remember the time I sat on my bedroom floor sobbing, telling my husband, “I can’t do this anymore.” But God knows me well.
What you believe to be true about God when you are in pain is reflected by how you respond to Him, others, and your circumstances. Don’t let Satan rob you of a truth-infused perspective and a God-honoring response.
Here are 3 ways I see God using the pain in my life for His glory, so that “His work may be displayed in my life.”
1. God uses pain in my life for personal spiritual growth.
When your soul longs to spend time with God in His Word, it’s a sign that spiritual growth is happening. The more time you spend in God’s Word, the more you become like Jesus. My dear friend, Linda, told me recently, “You’ve always been a good listener, but since your health has changed, you are an exceptional listener.” All I can say to that is “glory to God”!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow spiritually during painful circumstances. Lean into God and learn to trust Him no matter what. When you learn to trust God completely, you will be able to live above your painful circumstances.
2. God uses my pain to encourage others to live fully for Him, no matter the circumstances.
Because I cannot often leave my home, I try to spend time on the phone or on Internet zoom calls (as my pain level that day allows), whether in one-on-one mentoring, in small group settings, or encouraging friends in their own life challenges. For each person, the face of suffering appears differently, but we are all walking in a fallen world rife with broken hearts and disappointments.
At these times, I ask God to help me listen more than I speak and show empathy that uplifts. While I talk honestly about my pain, I also share my most recent “God moments” when He has shown me something new or met my needs in the most incredible way. I also share any recent funny stories or the “joy of life” God has shown me. When I sense God leading me, I try to use God’s Word appropriately and delicately, sharing how Scripture has helped me align my emotions and decisions with His plan for me.
Sometimes I fail at all this; sometimes my mind is too dull from my pain medications, and sometimes I’m the one who needs the uplifting and encouraging as I sit (and sometimes cry) with my pain. No matter the scenario, however, I still desire for God to be glorified in and through the situation. Even in our moans of help to the Spirit of God, He sees us, knows us, loves us, and is working everything for good in His kingdom. Of that much I am certain.
3. God uses the suffering in my life to help me become more and more like Jesus.
Jesus is patient, gracious, and kind. Full of love and peace. Joyful. Self-controlled. Long-suffering. Focused outwardly on others. Heavenly minded. A person of prayer. Ready to use God’s Word hidden in His heart to graciously point others to the Gospel. Able and willing to use the comfort received to comfort others. Humble. Aware of Who is in control of all life.
I could go on and on. Many readers, too, know our Savior well. But the best part is that, through our suffering, God is daily sculpting us to look more like Jesus. We may not see any difference day by day. But over time, as we place our faith in His goodness and spend time in His Word, the transformation is happening. I know that without the pain and suffering in my life, my resemblance to Jesus—no matter how unlike Him I still clearly am—would not be nearly so visible.
Photo by Joseph Barrientos
Remember Who God Is.
My suffering has become the sculpting and chiseling tools in the hands of a good God. My taxing pain daily helps me remember who God is and what He desires for me.
I am His child, forever loved, on a journey with Him. He never leaves me. He is my Hope, my Comforter, my Salvation. And one day, He will greet me in heaven. His joyful words might be something like, “Well done, Ally, you have fought the good fight. You have kept the faith.”
While the disappointment of how my life has turned out is sometimes all too real, I know whose I am. And this certainty embedded in my soul never disappointments.
The words of John Piper have been true for me as well. “Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be,” he says. “Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.”
Won’t you weep deeply with me and grieve the losses? And then, look to God, trust Him, see our pain as a chance to glorify Him in a profound way, and then embrace our lives, the opportunities to now sow His seeds of truth with more conviction and purpose?
With God’s help, trusting Him, this precious reality is ours. We may not be free from the shackles of pain, still in the midst of the battle, but we can draw closer to God, rejoice in how He is sculpting our hearts, and praise Him—evermore.
Sources:
Joni Eareckson Tada, A Place of Healing (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010), p. 21.
Blessed and Restored,
Ally
This article first appeared on Crosswalk.com, on December 10, 2021