Mission Venture Ministries

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18) 

Many people suffer through physical pain, which often becomes chronic pain. The longer pain persists, the more we are tempted to start questioning God. I know He can heal but why isn’t He healing me?  As we see, physical pain can cause us to become inward focus, retreat from God, or even question God for our suffering. 

So how do we deal with physical pain while trusting God’s plan? 

During times of pain and suffering, it can be challenging to trust in God. However, in such moments, it is precisely when faith can become a guiding light, providing strength, and comfort. 

We need to remember that God invites us to bring our anguish before Him, understanding that He is compassionate and understanding. Therefore, one of the foundations of trust is relying on the promises of God. The Bible is rich with passages like Romans 8:35, 37-39, that reassure us of His love and care. Reflecting on these promises can help in the healing process and provide comfort during painful times.

Trusting God during pain sometimes means accepting that we may not fully understand why certain trials or hardships occur. God is sovereign, and it is within His sphere to work in mysterious ways, beyond our comprehension. Surrendering to His omniscience and choosing to trust His wisdom can bring peace and comfort amidst the pain. 

During times of pain, immersing in prayer and meditation can be transformative. These practices help create a space for intimate conversation with God, fostering a deeper connection with Him. Through prayer, we open our heart to God, pouring out our pain, fear, frustrations or what ever else it might be. 

Through trusting in God we can be strengthened and come to understand that our sufferings can serve as opportunities for growth of our character, increasing empathy, or drawing us closer to God. Persevering through difficulties with faith can lead to breakthroughs and a deepened relationship with the Lord. 

Ultimately, trusting in God leads to personal growth and a closer relationship with the divine, providing comfort and hope. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

When praying, ask for strength, wisdom, and guidance to endure the pain and to know when to seek suitable medical, naturopathic or holistic care. Pray for the ability to find the right doctors, treatments, or therapies that may aid in alleviating your pain. Additionally, ask for the strength to endure the pain while you wait for God’s answers and relief from pain. 

Express gratitude for the blessings in your life, even amidst the physical pain. Gratitude can shift your focus from pain to the things that bring you joy, and this shift in outlook can be therapeutic. 

Physical healing may take time. Therefore, maintain consistency in your prayers and have patience. Understand that healing may not occur immediately or the way you expect. However if you are a believer, trust that your prayers are being heard, and allow the healing process to unfold in God’s appointed time. 

Many times God brings good thru our chronic pain by teaching us to rely more on Him. The more acutely we see our need, the more likely we are to seek His face. Also, God may use chronic pain to help us learn endurance and patience. We then can help other sufferers with what God taught us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Chronic pain can be an opportunity to learn to suffer well before the eyes of the world. When those with no hope watch the patient endurance of a child of God, they may yearn for that kind of strength. 

As hard as it is for some of us to comprehend, our pain is not pointless when our life is devoted to God’s will. We can rest in the confidence that He is allowing it for His greater purposes (Romans 8:28) and that soon we will be with Him and free from pain forever (Revelation 21:4). 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). 

And always remember that the Lord said that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

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