Purpose in Your Pain

Learn to trust that He has prosperous plans for the pain that you are facing. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

This is such a powerful word from Jeremiah, yet sometimes, we may not believe it’s really true for us today. Troubles swirl around, pressures feel too great, life seems hard. We might even feel like God has forgotten our situation and left us facing the struggles all alone.

But in the background of this great verse, we’re reminded that God spoke these words to His people, not when times were easy, but when times were very hard. They would endure 70 years of captivity; they would experience great suffering. And it’s right there, in the midst of all the trouble, that we can see the hope of God shine through.

He didn’t leave his people in the tough trials. And He will never leave us there either. He walks us through, reminding us that His plans are for good, for a future, for a hope. He is right with us and breathes confidence and peace. He assures us that we will press through the struggle, and come out to the other side, stronger, with deeper faith and hope. God is faithful in this: He will never waste the pain of what we experience in this life, but will bring greater good and blessing because of it.

If you find yourself facing hard times today, or maybe you’ve just walked through a difficult season, this verse is your reminder – there’s still great hope ahead. Be confident of this, God’s not finished yet. You’re still here, you’re gaining strength and perseverance through the trials. He has good in store, and purpose in all that we walk through, no matter how hard it may be.

He sees the big picture of our lives, and He’s aware of every little detail too. He knows what He’s doing, even when we can’t see it all yet. He often works behind the scenes that unfold every day, in the places where we may not always understand His plans. Even through all our seasons of waiting.

So, we can trust…that He has our best in mind. He’s got our back. He’s with us right now. And He has secured our future too.

Let’s rest in that truth today. There’s huge peace in knowing we don’t have to try hard to control it all. We can let go of the need to figure out the whole big picture, or the striving of trying to make things happen by ourselves. He is always faithful, and can work out in just a moment, what would take years for us to work through on our own. And He redeems all things.

A reminder for our day: God knows, He understands, and we’re never alone.

Keep pressing through my friends.

He loves you. He cares. And He is with you always.