Are you going through trials and difficulties right now? Are you on the verge of giving up? Are you wondering when your test will end and desperate to understand why you are going through such difficulty?

I know that life can be tough. Right now, I’m going through difficulties myself. My greatest challenge and perhaps, my life-long struggle would be with my son who has developmental delays. I won’t go into details, but I can tell you, I felt angry with God several times. I found myself questioning His love, mercy, and justice. However, sometimes, due to our shortsightedness and limited view, we can quickly forget the purpose of pain in our lives.

Recently, I came across an encouraging post on Facebook and it spoke right to my heart. It made me think and reminded me that God will not allow things to happen to us that will ruin us, but rather, He will use trials to strengthen and prepare us for His coming Kingdom.

---

I would have by Kimberly Henderson

I want to share with you this post as well and I’m sure you’ll also receive words of encouragement from this message. It was written by Kimberly Henderson in 2017. It says:

“I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.

I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.

I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.

And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.

And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hardship will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. And He’s promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.

So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I’m asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. I’m asking Him how I can best love you and be a help to you. And I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.”

Kimberly Henderson’s poignant reflection on the lives of biblical figures like Joseph, David, Esther, and ultimately, Jesus, offers a profound perspective on the nature of pain and suffering in our own lives. It’s a reminder that the trials we face may be part of a larger plan, one that we might not fully comprehend in the moment.

I Would Have Reflection

There’s no doubt: that life is tough, but God is faithful. He promised us in Romans 8:28:

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

When you’re going through trials, it’s not over yet. God said that everything will be alright at the end and if it is not alright, then it’s not the end yet. We have to keep in mind that God can use both the good and bad in our lives to bring about His will and purpose.

Yes, our first instinct to pain is to simply avoid it at all costs. However, pain is unavoidable as long as we are imperfect human beings living in this imperfect world. So, when pain comes, we should pause and consider the potential growth, strength, and beauty that can emerge from it.

⚠️ Related Article: What Pain can teach Us in Life

God is inviting us to trust in His higher purpose and to believe that even in the darkest moments, God is with us no matter what happens. This should encourage us to lean on faith and prayer, seeking guidance and strength from a Source beyond ourselves.

Ultimately, God gives us the power of resilience, of the capacity within each of us to endure and overcome, and of the profound ways in which our experiences can shape us for the better. It’s a message of hope and encouragement, urging us to embrace the journey, however challenging, with a sense of trust and gratitude for the lessons it brings.

---

Join our Inspiring Stories Course

Do you love to read stories that inspire, motivate, and uplift? If yes, then you will love our 40-day course, Inspiring Stories. In this course, you’ll read some of the most mind-boggling stories that will teach you about love, friendship, peace, wisdom, mercy, and so much more. Check out our course today!

---