By Kevin John Maddela

“That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt” - John Green

Life gets a little tough at times. Life is not always a bed of roses, as they say. When the world seems so unclear and we feel pain, we reexamine ourselves. Pain can help us in a way that it demands to be felt.

Living life is never easy, and there are surely pains that will haunt us along the way. We must endure hardships that come our way just like soldiers and athletes being disciplined and trained into shape, or like farmers working hard to achieve the best fruits of their labor (2 Timothy 2:3-7).

Pain teaches endurance

We must endure hardships that come our way just like soldiers and athletes being disciplined and trained into shape

When we struggle, we are molded to be strong. We are formed into people of maturity, finding ourselves soaked in deep intimacy with God.

James 1:2-3 says “My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

Pain is a turning point

Pain can sometimes lead us to a place where everything is lost. But in nothingness we find the love of the Lord. It is an awakening where we see the Lord in a deeper way. When we find ourselves with nothing there is no better recourse but to pray and be hopeful. That is when God works mightily!

The best time to praise the Lord is when we are in deep pain.

We remember the Lord in our pains

It may seem ironic and, of course, difficult, but the best time to praise the Lord is when we are in deep pain. If the Lord takes delight in our praise when we are joyful, surely Jesus takes delight when he helps us carry our burdens. As explicitly stated in Ephesians 5:20, we should give thanks “always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Giving thanks helps us focus on God in any circumstance; it boosts our faith, and it brings glory to Jesus.

There may be pain in the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5)! When we feel pain, it can launch us into a deep faith experience and unimaginable joy. We just need to open ourselves to an unfathomable relationship with Jesus, where we can find God’s goodness even in the darkest of times.

Discussion Questions:

1. What sorts of pain have you experienced? How did you endure your pains?


2. What realizations did you come to as a result of your hardship?


3. How have you glorified God in your pains?