November 2: Living with Purpose: Finding God’s Light Through Chronic Pain

-

 Living with Purpose: Finding God’s Light Through Chronic Pain

Scripture:

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 (NIV)

Anonymous. Bodden Town

Every morning begins with the same question – what will today’s pain levels be? This wasn’t how I imagined my life would unfold. Some days, even the simplest tasks feel like climbing mountains. Making plans becomes an exercise in hope tinged with uncertainty, never quite knowing if tomorrow will be a day when the pain allows participation or demands rest.

The emotional terrain of chronic pain is as challenging as the physical. There’s guilt when I have to cancel plans again, frustration when well-meaning friends suggest the latest miracle cure, and moments of profound loneliness when it feels like no one truly understands. I’ve had dark nights questioning God, wrestling with why healing hasn’t come despite surgery, numerous other medical procedures, countless prayers, and unwavering faith.

Yet God, in His infinite wisdom, began showing me a different path. When physical limitations closed sure doors of service, He opened windows I’d never noticed before. My inability to participate in more active ministries led me to discover gifts in writing and creativity – talents I might never have explored otherwise. These skills became my new way of serving Him, reaching others through words and creative expressions when my body couldn’t.

Through this journey, God has taught me that purpose isn’t limited by physical ability. On days when pain keeps me homebound, I can still create, still encourage, still serve. He’s shown me that sometimes our most excellent ministry grows from our deepest struggles. The empathy born from suffering has given me a unique ability to connect with others facing their own battles.

For those walking a similar path:

  1. • Be gentle with yourself on high-pain days – rest is not laziness; it’s necessary stewardship of your body.
  2. • Look for alternate ways to serve – God often reveals hidden talents in seasons of limitation.
  3. • Keep a journal of “light moments” – times when God’s presence feels especially close despite the pain.
  4. • Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, even with church activities and well-meaning friends.

To fellow believers supporting someone with chronic pain:

  1. Remember that invisible pain is still real pain – sometimes the brightest smiles mask the deepest hurts.

  2. Be consistent in your presence – a simple text message can break through isolation.

  3. Offer specific help rather than general statements – “Can I pick up groceries for you today?” is more helpful than “Let me know if you need anything.”

  4. Include them in ministry opportunities that work within their limitations.

What began as a journey of loss has become a testament to God’s ability to transform pain into purpose. While I still pray for healing, I’ve learned that God’s power isn’t just displayed in taking away our struggles – sometimes it shines brightest through how He transforms them into platforms for ministry. He’s taught me that serving Him doesn’t always look like we expect, and that’s okay. Sometimes it seems like writing from a place of rest, creating from a space of limitation, or encouraging others from a position of understanding.

Today, I see how God has used this journey to refine not just my faith, but my purpose. He didn’t cause the pain, but He certainly hasn’t wasted it. Through it, He’s developed gifts I never knew I had and opened doors I never thought to look for. This isn’t the path I would have chosen, but I’m learning to trust the One who walks it with me, using each step – painful though they may be – to bring light to others on similar journeys.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the God of all comfort, the One who meets us in our pain and gives us purpose in our trials. Help us to see beyond our suffering to the ways You are shaping our hearts and using our experiences to bless others. Teach us to rest in Your grace on the hard days and to find joy in small victories. May our lives shine with Your light, even through our weakness, as we trust You to turn pain into purpose.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 16 Anxious but Anchored

-
Image
Carol Nyack Shepherdess Cayman Islands Conference of SDA Theme: Trusting God when anxiety creeps in . It was a cool February evening, and I was reaching the end of my rope in more ways than one. I was partially laid up with a broken ankle, having just shattered my beautiful flowerpot. At the same time, vacuuming, and then, minutes later, discovered that my unlocked car had been ransacked during the night. I glanced at my husband resting on the sofa. He remained unbothered by my recounting of events. I then contacted our older son. While on the phone, my husband calmly said, "Ask him to come take me to the hospital." There was no complaint of pain, no urgency in his voice—just a quiet request. At this point, I knew prayer was more important than questioning.  Our son arrived, and just as my husband turned to kiss me and leave, I grabbed him to pray. On the way to the hospital, things took a drastic do...
Read more

January 11: Help! I Am A Worrier.

-
Image
Help! I Am A Worrier. Author : Sharon Campbell-Danvers, Shepherdess, Educator Theme : Contentment in Christ. Finding peace and joy in God regardless of circumstances Peace of mind is a valuable commodity that cannot have a price tag placed on it. If worrying was a product, I would be rich.  Peace of mind is precious and closely aligned with our mental health and well-being. Truth be told, so many things seek to distract us from what is truly important and what gives us true peace. This is a struggle for me. I need a piece of peace! A big slice. Whopper version, supersized. Women are confronted with many issues that impact their peace of mind. The woman with the issue of blood was in a deep place for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34). Mary and Martha watched their brother die and wept (John 11:1-44). The woman at the well was searching for deeper meaning in her life without even knowing it until she came in contact with Jesus (John 4:1-26). Hannah was troubled at home and could find no ...
Read more

April 9 Naomi: Turning Bitterness into Joy

-
Image
Theme:  Finding Hope and Restoration After Loss and Hardship Stacy-Ann Dawkins Newlands SDA Church Scripture Focus: "The Lord has brought me back empty... But the Lord has dealt kindly with me." – Ruth 1:21; 4:14 There are moments in life when everything we hold dear seems to fall apart, and we are left standing in the wreckage of shattered dreams and broken hearts. Naomi’s story in the Bible is a powerful testimony of this. She lost her husband and both her sons in a foreign land. Once a woman full of life, she returned to Bethlehem bitter and hopeless, even renaming herself Mara, which means "bitter." It seemed that joy and hope were distant memories. But God had not forgotten her. Naomi’s story resonates deeply with my own. What should have been one of the happiest times of my life turned into a season of unimaginable pain. Two weeks after giving birth to my daughter—a time when I should have been basking in the joy of motherhood—I lost my mother. Grief overwhe...
Read more