Biblical Answer

Can God Use My Pain for Good?

Understanding the Problem of Pain

The problem of pain is a question that has puzzled many people throughout history. Why does God allow evil and suffering in the world? Why does God not prevent pain and suffering? These questions have been asked by many, including the psalmist, who wrote, "I pour out my soul; how long must I suffer?" (Psalm 42:4). The psalmist's pain and suffering led him to turn to God for help, and he asked God for help against his enemies (Psalm 42:11).

Can God Use Pain for Good?

The Bible teaches that God can use pain and suffering for good. In the book of Hebrews, it is written, "Though he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered" (Hebrews 5:8). Jesus, the Son of God, learned obedience through suffering, and we can learn from his example. Suffering can teach us about our dependence on God and our need for him. It can also teach us about the importance of perseverance and faith. However, suffering only truly teaches us as we fix our eyes on Jesus. If we avoid him in the midst of pain, we can become embittered by it. But if we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can learn from our pain and suffering.

Faith and Suffering

Faith and suffering are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the Bible teaches that faith is strengthened through suffering. The apostle Paul wrote, "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4). Paul's experiences of suffering had strengthened his faith, and he was able to write about the importance of perseverance and hope in the midst of suffering. Similarly, we can learn to trust God in the midst of pain and suffering, and we can find hope and joy in him, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. As the psalmist wrote, "You turn my wailing into dancing; you remove my sackcloth and clothe me with joy" (Psalm 30:11). God can use our pain for good, and he can turn our wailing into dancing.