(The LOOK is missing from this Stop, Look and Listen post because I didn’t take a pic.)
Ever have a moment when you are in the middle of conversation and God says, “Did you hear yourself? Do you really believe that?”
I did.
Yesterday.
My daughter Hannah had to get braces put on. On the way to the orthodontist, Hannah shared her anxiety. Her close friend just told her getting braces hurts sooo bad. I had no perspective because I never had braces. Scrambling for words of comfort, I glanced over at Hannah, she was holding her stomach and needed to use the closest bathroom. Poor girl. Her nerves got the best of her.
We continued talking through her fears.
“I don’t mind getting braces, I just don’t want to hurt,” Hannah said.
“I understand, but pain has purpose.”
God interrupted, “Did you hear yourself?”
As I continued talking, I listened closer to myself.
“Hannah, what is the purpose of this pain?”
“To fix my teeth.”
“Right. So the question is are you willing to endure some pain to have straight teeth and no more jaw pain?”
“Think about how many of your friends have had braces put on. They have made it through and now they have pretty smiles.”
“They survived, right?”
As we approached the office building I prayed over Hannah, reminding her to be strong and courageous.
The time had come. We were parked.
I whispered to myself.
Pain has purpose.
Pain has purpose.
Pain has purpose.
As Hannah’s mom, I wanted to rescue her or take her place but I couldn’t. Her jaw needed repair, not mine. My heart ached knowing she would hurt. But I also knew she needs her bite corrected because of a chronic sore jaw. I drove Hannah there knowing she would suffer for a little while. Her pain today has purpose. Two years from now, she will smile and it will be beautiful!
Her jaw pain?
Gone. Lord willing.
This made me think of my pain as a child and as an adult. Did my past pain(physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, relational) really have purpose? How about my current hurts, do they have purpose? Yes or no?
Yes, pain has purpose.
There will be times when my loving Father brings me to places of pain–on purpose. He knows what areas need repair even when I think I’m fine. My part is to trust Him, knowing some tomorrow I will be pain-free and restored. If not on earth, for sure in heaven.
God doesn’t waste my pain. He doesn’t waste yours. He doesn’t allow pain unless it has purpose in His kingdom. He wants use my past pain to comfort others and to reveal His glory. This is happening with my abortion recovery. Thank you, LORD. I had no idea He would take my worst experience to bless others.
God sees the end result of all of our hardships. We don’t. Most of us fear suffering no matter what kind it is. We’d rather deal with a chronic ache and cancel a scheduled appointment than walk into a room full of brackets and glue and submit to a masked man to get it fixed.
Today I’m still reflecting about this whole topic of pain having purpose.
Can I trust God with the suffering I see others going through right now? Job loss, cancer, marriage problems, troubled children, death of a loved one, depression? Is He a good loving Father or not? Is He trustworthy and near when it appears He’s left the building?
As a mom who loves her daughter but drove her to a place of pain–on purpose–I believe He is.
If you are in the middle of a difficult time, please take comfort in knowing you have a loving God who cares for you more than any parent ever could. He will not leave you during your suffering. Instead, He is close to the brokenhearted. He waits ready to hold your hand. Cry out to Him. He’s closer than you think.
May these verses bless you today.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen,” 1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV).
Hey Tiffany, Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and commenting. I am always excited to see who God brings to my little spot.
Your message is very powerful and true. We never know how God is going to use our suffering to help others through a tough time. — I know for a fact that God is using my cancer journey to help other women find Him. Women I've never even met. I can honestly and emphatically say…pain has a purpose.
Blessings, SusanD
Y-A-Y!!! I'm your 100th follower. lol Blessings, SusanD
Thank for this great post! It spoke to me so very much:)
Oh Tiffany,
This was great!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing how God spoke to your heart.
You have truly experienced much pain in your life and you've used that to bring GLORY and honor to our Father.
Praying Hannah won't have to suffer too much.
I'll be sending you an email soon.
Love you my friend♥
Pain says, "Look here, look there, touch slowly, walk more quickly… or, hey, stop."
It is a red flag, a resting place, a jumping off point.
Yes, I think pain has a purpose.
Tiffany.
I also know that with pain comes growth. You learn how it impacts your life and the good that comes from it.
Thanks for sharing this powerful post.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
Wow! You tackled a tough subject. Great job! I love this line, "God doesn't waste my pain." I needed this reminder. Thank you!
Awesomely powerful.
This good, Tiffany.
I'll remember it.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
What a great post. I love how God can reveal something so wonderful in something so simple!!
Wonderful post.
That was a great post. Thanks for sharing what God was speaking to you.
Blessings
WOW! You are right, pain = purpose and growth. Thanks for sharing. I am also adding myself to your follow list to keep up with your posts. Have a blessed day!
Amy
Tiffany, I remember bringing my 6 week old into the ER, rushing him to the Twin Cities after his exray for surgery. Watching the nurses try to get an iv in his little hands and feet. After 6 tries, they put it in the top of his head. After they left, I told him how it was necessary for him to go through this, and I told him about Jesus. How much He suffered for good to come. I knew that the Holy Spirit was speaking to my little boy in infant language.
Then when I handed him to the surgeons the next morning, I was by myself in the room when they came to get him, they took him behind a door. I remember looking at that door, and then closing my eyes and setting Ethan in God's capable hands.
Now, 17+ years later, he is 6'4". No one knows where he got his height. But I do… 😀
God bless Hannah! I had braces, and it really didn't hurt that much. I didn't have any teeth pulled or anything though…How'd she do?
This is a great post Tiffany. I too am beginning to understand more and more there truly is a BIGGER purpose for our pain if we look to Him and trust, we can see it. Thanks for sharing this.
Beckie
I find your Stop Look & Listen posts to be so powerful and they always seem to be on something that resonates with me. I always think God has such a sense of humor when he uses our own words to minister to us. Thanks for sharing. I hope Hannah's experience wasn't as bad as she thought it would be.
I hope the braces went well. God does use our pain for good.B
I'm sorry for the discomfort your daughter has experienced, but yes, you are right, pain has a purpose. It teaches us patience and dependence (upon God). And I understand your desire as a parent to remove the pain from our kids. But, God doesn't remove the pain from us (all the time), because he knows it does serve a purpose in our lives. I must admit though, I don't like it! I guess that is something else pain teaches us – acceptance.
Good article, Tiffany. And I hope your daughter continues to do well.