Every single person has experienced some form of pain or difficulty. It's part of life. But what if I told you that there’s purpose in your pain? That’s the heart of our new series, The Power of Your Pain, where we'll dive into how God operates within the painful parts of our lives.
Pain as a Breeding Ground for Miracles
In John 11, we read the story of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus who became very sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, sent a message to Jesus, asking Him to come and heal Lazarus, who was on his deathbed. They knew that if anyone could heal him, it was Jesus. But instead of rushing to their aid, Jesus stayed where He was for two more days. He even told His disciples that this sickness wouldn’t end in death but would bring glory to God.
For Mary and Martha, waiting must have been agonizing. They were likely filled with confusion and fear, much like we are when God doesn’t show up in the way we expect Him to. But Jesus had a purpose in His delay. He wasn’t ignoring them; He was setting the stage for something greater.
The truth is that every miracle starts with a problem. The pain we face often becomes the breeding ground for God’s greatest work. If everything were perfect, where would the need for God’s intervention be? Pain tills the soil of our hearts, preparing us for God to move.
Waiting Doesn’t Mean God is Absent
In this story, we see that Jesus' delay wasn’t a sign of His indifference. In fact, the Bible says that because He loved Lazarus, He waited. That’s a hard truth to accept: sometimes God makes us wait because He loves us.
We often think God’s silence or delay means He’s not paying attention or doesn’t care, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. God uses our waiting to shape us, to deepen our faith, and to bring more glory to His name when He does show up. A delay doesn’t mean a denial; it means God is working in ways we can’t yet see.
Whatever you're waiting for today—whether it’s healing, restoration, or provision—know this: your waiting is not wasted. God is still moving, and His timing is perfect.
Struggles Shape Our Faith
When Jesus finally told the disciples that Lazarus had died, He made a startling statement: “I’m glad for you that I wasn’t there, so that you may believe.” Jesus knew the disciples had seen Him heal the sick and perform miracles before. But now, He was about to do something they had never witnessed: raise someone from the dead after four days in the tomb.
God often lets our struggles deepen to grow our faith. If He removed every challenge immediately, we wouldn’t learn to trust Him. It’s through the impossible situations—the ones that push us to the end of ourselves—that we get to see God’s limitless power.
When life hits hard, we start seeking God in ways we never have before. We pray more earnestly, we lean into Him more deeply, and our faith grows stronger. That’s the power of pain—it leads us to a place of dependence on God, where we witness His ability to do far more than we could ever imagine.
Reframing the Question
So, what pain are you facing right now? Instead of asking, “Why, God?” maybe it’s time to ask, “How, God? How are you going to use this? How will you grow my faith through this?”
There’s power in your pain, and God has a purpose in every trial you face. He’s not absent. He’s working, and in His perfect time, you will see His glory revealed in your situation.
If you're in a season of waiting or facing a struggle, remember that it’s not punishment. It's preparation for something greater. God is using your pain to draw you closer to Him and to show you the depths of His love and power. Keep the faith. The best is yet to come.
