God, Let My Suffering Not Be Wasted: How To Find Purpose In The Pain
We’ve all faced moments of suffering. Whether it’s physical pain, emotional wounds, or the weight of injustice, life has a way of bringing us to our knees. But what if there was more to our suffering than just the agony of the moment? What if God has a deeper purpose behind our pain—one that could transform our lives, our faith, and even the world around us?
As Messianic Jewish believers, we understand that suffering is not something we endure in vain. We are not alone in our pain. In fact, God’s Word provides us with the assurance that suffering can bring us closer to Him, refine our character, and ultimately fulfill His divine plan. In this article, we will explore how to surrender our pain to God, asking Him, “Let my suffering not be wasted.”
1. God Uses Suffering to Refine Us
When we experience suffering, it’s easy to feel like it’s all in vain. But the Bible reveals that God uses our pain to refine us, much like a refiner’s fire purifies precious metals.
In Zechariah 13:9, we read:
"And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’" (Zechariah 13:9)
God doesn’t waste our suffering. Just as gold is tested and purified through fire, God allows suffering in our lives to refine us. The trials we face purify our faith, shaping us into stronger, more devoted believers. When we endure hardship, we learn to rely more fully on God, and through the fire of suffering, our faith becomes more precious in His sight.
2. Suffering Prepares Us for Greater Glory
Suffering is not the end of the story—it is the preparation for something greater. In our most painful moments, God is preparing us for something beyond our comprehension. His purpose in our suffering may not always be clear, but we are assured that He works all things for our good.
Isaiah 61:3 speaks of the beauty that comes from ashes:
"To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified." (Isaiah 61:3)
God has a way of turning our mourning into joy. He promises to replace our ashes with beauty and our faint spirits with garments of praise. Suffering may leave us feeling broken, but God can restore us and use our pain to bring about a greater glory. We can trust that our suffering is not the end; it is the beginning of a transformation that leads to something beautiful in His timing.
3. God is Near to the Brokenhearted
In the midst of suffering, it’s easy to feel alone and forgotten. But God’s Word assures us that He is close to the brokenhearted. He does not abandon us in our pain. Instead, He draws near, offering His comfort and His presence.
In Psalm 34:18, we read:
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
When we suffer, we are not alone. God is near to us in our pain. He understands our hurt, and He promises to comfort us. Our suffering is not wasted because it leads us into a deeper relationship with the One who loves us. In those moments of pain, we can draw near to God, knowing that He is with us and will never leave us.
4. Suffering is Part of God’s Redemptive Plan
God is a God of redemption, and He can redeem even our deepest pain. Suffering is not meaningless or pointless in God’s economy. Through our pain, He brings about His redemptive purposes, both in our lives and in the lives of others.
In Isaiah 53:5, we see the ultimate example of God using suffering for His redemptive purposes:
"But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
Yeshua (Jesus) endured unimaginable suffering for our redemption. His pain was not in vain; it was the means by which we are healed and reconciled to God. Similarly, God can use our suffering to bring about His purposes. Though we may not always understand why we suffer, we can trust that God is using our pain to bring healing and redemption, both in our lives and in the lives of others.
5. God Will Bring Restoration
While suffering is part of our earthly experience, God promises that He will restore what has been lost. No pain, no tear, no moment of suffering goes unnoticed by our Heavenly Father. He sees our hurt, and He will bring restoration.
In Joel 2:25, God promises:
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25)
God’s restoration is comprehensive. He will not only heal the wounds we’ve suffered but will also restore what has been lost. Our pain will not be wasted because God’s ultimate plan is to bring about complete restoration. The years that were lost in suffering will be redeemed, and we will experience His goodness in ways we could never imagine.
6. Suffering Produces Perseverance and Hope
One of the most powerful results of suffering is the perseverance and hope it produces in us. When we endure hardship with faith, we grow stronger and develop a deeper trust in God’s faithfulness.
In Isaiah 40:29, we are reminded:
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29)
Our suffering strengthens us. It teaches us to rely on God’s power, not our own. As we persevere through pain, we learn to hope in God’s promises and trust in His timing. The endurance we gain through suffering becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness, and it equips us to help others who are walking through their own trials.
Conclusion: Let Your Suffering Not Be Wasted
It’s impossible to fully understand why suffering exists in this world. But as Messianic Jewish believers, we can take comfort in knowing that God does not waste our pain. Our suffering is not meaningless; it is part of a divine plan that refines us, draws us closer to God, and leads us into greater glory.
If you’re in a season of pain right now, take heart. Invite God into your suffering, and trust that He will use it for His greater purposes. Surrender your pain to Him and ask, “Let my suffering not be wasted.” God’s promises are sure, and He will redeem your pain, restore your heart, and transform your life.
No matter how deep your suffering, God is near, He is at work, and He will never let your pain go to waste.