When people experience hurt, pain, or suffering, often, their number one thought and priority is simply to get to the other side of it. They wonder how and when they will stop hurting, grieving, or experiencing the lingering effects of whatever happened to them. This is a perfectly normal and reasonable response to pain, yet there is a better and healthier way to view the pain we experience in our lives. Perhaps we experienced a tragic loss of a loved one, or went through a period of addiction or physical or sexual abuse; instead of blocking that out of our minds and numbing ourselves to that experience as if it never happened, we can look to see how God would use it.

There is a purpose on the other side of pain. Whatever that pain is, know that you are not the only one who has and who will experience it. Others will experience cancer. Others will be abused. Others will be abandoned. Others will experience the tragic loss of a child or sibling. Others will go through addiction. Going through hurt and pain gives you a unique perspective on it; a perspective that can help others to be encouraged, equipped, and able to make it through their own version of hurt. You are now uniquely positioned to speak life, hope, and healing into others, the same way you were spoken into, in a way that someone who hasn't experienced that pain cannot. You know the mental anguish, the toll on your body and mind, the unique struggle, and how it impacts relationships, identity, and purpose. Don't let your pain go to waste. Don't hide from your hurt. Decide now that you will use what you've experienced to help others. Allow God to work in you and through you to accomplish his good will and purpose. God doesn't cause pain or suffering, which is the result of living in a fallen world, but God can and will use hurt, pain, and suffering for his glory if we allow him to. So will you allow him to? Even if you are still in the midst of pain, keep your eyes open. Don't shut people out. Don't shut God out and numb yourself so that you forget and move on as quickly as possible. Your story could be the story that is instrumental in another person's life; to save a life, to mend a broken heart, and to heal a distressed soul. But once again, this doesn't happen by accident or by default. We have to choose to be used by God. We must decide to allow our vulnerability and wounds to help another. We must be intentional about this, while also realizing that this is not always the easiest choice. It is easy just to forget that the whole thing ever happened. But this is not how God works. God does difficult things, and he calls us to do difficult things as well, knowing that it will bring about something beautiful out of the ashes of a painful experience.