I’ve experienced pain in my life through a triple break of my ankle, multiple surgeries including two hip replacements, and childbirth. However, none of that compares to the pain I am experiencing through the injury to my shoulder. I hit ten on the pain scale, usually in the middle of the night.

Your pain might not be physical. It might be a loss of a loved one – a spouse, child, dear friend. Perhaps it could be betrayal. Jesus understands. 

I have found pain to be a “teacher”. 

The greatest lesson is that immediately taking my pain to God makes a difference.

This doesn’t mean He always takes the pain away. But God reassures me through the pain that He is with me. I would rather have this experience than to never have experienced God’s intimacy, comfort, encouragement, and eventual relief from the pain. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 clearly tells us that God is our Comforter: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Another lesson from pain is that I can understand when someone else tells me they are in pain. As the above verse tells us, God has shown us comfort in our affliction so that we may become a comforter to others. 

Pain is not only for our personal benefit because it draws us closer to God – when we turn to Him – but our pain can lead to helping others. Isn’t that one of the reasons God created us, to help others?

The Bible has many verses that reassure us that He is with us and helping us. A favorite of mine is Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

In those moments when pain wants to grasp all of my attention, God reminds me that He is with me. The immense comfort and encouragement that I can bear up under that pain because of His presence takes precedence over the suffering.

Consider the following verses and the actions taken:

Proverbs 18:10: “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

Joels 2:32a: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved;”

2 Samuel 22:2: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;”

Psalm 59:9: “You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,’

Psalm 71:5-8: “For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”

In the above verses, the writer took some action. Calling to God, declaring His praises, watching for Him, and trusting in Him are all actions we are responsible to take in our relationship with God. These are modeled in the above verses. 

Pain can drive us to God or it can interfere with our relationship with God. We each make the choice. 

Jesus chose to endure pain so that we can have a relationship with our God, our Creator.

Since Jesus endured the pain of betrayal and the physical pain of the cross we can endure whatever pain comes into our lives.

Spurgeon is quoted as saying: “sanctified afflictions”. 

Another lesson I’ve learned is that when I view my pain through my relationship with God, it is bearable. He knows what we can bear, and will not push us past that point. But God also knows we may think we cannot endure, so He provides His Holy Spirit to comfort and encourage us to persevere.

Pain is not new. It was part of the curse Adam and Eve received because they disobeyed God. 

But God promises that one day, for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, there will be no more pain! Revelation 21:4: “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away.” AMPC

What pain are you experiencing? How are you handling it? Are you running to God or trying to deal with it on your own? 

What Scripture helps you when you are in pain? I would love to have you share it with me. Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com .  If you would like to talk about a relationship with Jesus, that would be encouraging to me. Please email me. Thank you.

Living for Jesus, Donna

P.S. If this has helped you, please share it with others!

Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you. Also, please remember to look at the full context of the verses by reading the complete passage.

Copyright 2026 Donna Shappy   All rights reserved.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.