I first heard these words, purposeful suffering, during one of my audio-guided runs called “Get In Your Head.” This interval speed run was intense—one minute at an almost-sprint pace, with a one-minute recovery; two minutes at an almost-sprint pace, with a one-minute recovery—3 sets of these. Two coaches were motivating me during this run with tips and advice on how to build “mental toughness.” One of the tips that stuck with me was when she said that sometimes she would on purpose make hard runs harder by incorporating “purposeful suffering” into her runs. Sometimes, she would run on the hottest day of the week or at the hottest time of the day. Other times, she would change up a run to the end of the day when she felt the most fatigued. She may decide to run all hills with no flat areas. By doing this, she was building her body’s endurance to withstand challenging obstacles. When race day came, things didn’t feel as daunting or overwhelming, because she practiced “mental toughness.”
This was inspiring to me and it got me thinking about other areas of my life where purposeful suffering applied. One of the first verses that popped into my mind was James 1:2-4, when he says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
This verse is pretty staggering if you ask me. I love it and hate it at the same time! I want the gift of endurance (other versions may say steadfastness, patience, and perseverance) without having to learn the hard way through circumstances, self-discipline, and self-denial. Especially while “considering it pure joy.” But that’s not how it works. All of these things are cultivated and established through the testing of my faith.
If I’m not being tested, I’m not growing.
I’m always grateful after I walk through a tough season of my life and notice the fruit that the Lord had planted over that period. I look back and can consider it “pure joy” because I’m not the same person that I was before. I’m stronger. Wiser. Hungrier for God. More hopeful and joy-filled. More rooted in my identity. I can look back and see that there was a purpose in my suffering.
Typically, we don’t go through life looking for suffering. Suffering and trials find us, whether we like it or not. No one is immune. So next time you encounter somebody who you can hardly stand because their every trait and characteristic grates on your last nerve, remember this: they are hurting just as much as you are. Maybe worse. (And Jesus died for them too!)
So, what are some ways that we can make the most of our suffering and find purpose in it?
Becoming Teachable
We must open ourselves up to have teachable hearts. Dig into the heart of God and ask Him what He wants to show you amid your suffering. I love this quote by Oswald Chambers: “In our hands, we hold the very thoughts of God.” What are the thoughts of God? His Word! Dig into God’s Word and allow Him to speak into your trial, overwhelming circumstance, and pain that you may be walking through. Romans 15:4 tells us, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so through the endurance that was taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope.” Why do we open up the Word of God? So that we might gain encouragement and hope! I don’t know about you, but when I am going through something hard, I need all the hope and encouragement I can get. I need to know that I will make it through and will find joy and peace once again.
I had a situation a while ago in which I was overcome with anxiety due to the state of my husband’s and my finances. He was laid off from his job temporarily, lasting for about eight weeks. Although we weren’t struggling and in dire need (especially since we had built an emergency fund for situations like this), I still felt fearful of what the future may bring. One day, the Lord led me to the story of the poor widow who gave generously at the temple, and in fact, gave all she had left. Here’s how Mark describes this story:
Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44
I imagined being in a situation like the poor widow. Would I be willing to give to Jesus my all, even if I had nothing left? Here’s the revelation I had after reading this story: I remembered the verse that said, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) The poor widow wasn’t seeking what was best for her in that situation. No one would have blamed her if she kept one coin for herself and gave the other to the Lord. Hey, that’s still 50% tithe! No, she gave all she had, knowing she could trust the Lord to provide for her every need.
This gave me so much hope and encouragement after reading these passages. I began to trust the Lord in our finances, and ultimately, that God would take care of us. That’s what Scripture does—it encourages, builds us up, and gives us hope! We have to be willing to open our hearts up to receive revelation and teaching because the Lord wants to encourage us and help us remember Who He is.
Also, just to add a disclaimer at the end here, I believe the poor widow had an unimaginable surprise waiting for her when she got back home… 🙂
For Whom Is This Happening?
My awesome Pastor, Steve Blayer, says that when suffering comes, the question isn’t why is this happening to me? but for whom is this happening to? Our suffering isn’t just for us, it’s for others as well! You’ve probably heard this famous quote by Fern Bernstein: “Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor.” 1 I have witnessed and heard so many testimonies of how God worked in people’s suffering and trauma, and more often than not, this is where that person’s ministry flows out!
As an example, Allan Scott from the Allan Scott Band used to be a drug addict. God met him in his darkest place and brought him out of addiction and into freedom. Now, he travels with his band holding a ministry conference called The Story Tour to help others gripped in addiction find freedom in Jesus.
God, too, wants to use our own story to help others find freedom and to bring them closer to Him. In times of suffering, it’s helpful to remember that when something bad happens to us, God can use it for good and for His purposes (Romans 8:28).
Our Pain Can Draw Us Closer To God
Our pain and brokenness, if we allow it, can bring us closer to God. Instead of retreating from Him, we can take our pain straight to Him and ask Him to heal, restore, and bring peace to our souls. This doesn’t have to be a fancy prayer. Just talk to Him like you would a close friend. God is always listening. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) In time, you will notice how the restorative balm of tears and drawing near to the Lord will help heal your broken heart. This saying deeply resonates with me spoken by Bob Sorge from his book, Secrets of the Secret Place: “Don’t despise the pain that gives you tears. Pour your heart out to Him; God is a refuge for us! Those who love much still wash the Lord’s feet with tears (Luke 7:36-48).” 2
I have found in my deepest pain a closeness with God like never before. He holds me on the breast of his heart as I humble myself and allow Him to breathe into my weary and despondent soul. The happy times are good and I am thankful for them. But there is something much deeper that is happening when I hold God’s hand amid suffering and loss. You probably understand the feeling when you allow yourself to open up about hardship with a close friend or family member. When they gaze at you empathetically, embrace you, and you allow yourself to fall apart in their arms, a special bond is formed through that moment, wouldn’t you say? The feeling of being understood, held, and loved in the middle of our darkest moments is what relationships are made of. How much more are we understood, held, and loved by the One who brought relationships into this world?
Let God be your confidante, your helper, your comforter, and your friend. He wants to draw near to you. You are not a burden or a last-minute thought to Him. He loves you with an everlasting love and with unfailing love He is drawing you to Himself (Jeremiah 31:3). Let go and don’t fight it. Allow yourself to be held in this moment.
Building “Mental Toughness”
This probably will not give me fan points, but I believe we need to work on building our “mental toughness.” Just like the story I shared in the beginning about the coach who purposefully ran in harsh conditions to build endurance, simply put, we just need to get out of our comfort zone. Many of us stick to the things we know and are comfortable with; we tend to be creatures of habit and routine. Routines are all well and good until they begin to work against us. Routines give us a sense of security, safety, and control, but it isn’t easy to grow here. It’s hard to build endurance when we are afraid to take risks.
Personally, I believe when we live a life consistent with stepping out of our comfort zone and into God’s comfort zone, it prepares us for when the storms of life hit. We are less paralyzed by its blow and can withstand trials with more ease. I’m not saying it will be easy, but because we already have a strength building inside of us by purposely doing uncomfortable things, our trials will feel less like an impossibility to tread through. Take risks! Move with the Holy Spirit and see the amazing, wonderful places the Lord wants to take you. “Be enthusiastic about serving the Lord, keeping your passion for Him boiling hot! Radiate with the glow of the Holy Spirit and let Him fill you with excitement as you serve Him.” (Romans 12:11 TPT)
Strengthening Our Character
The testing of our faith—the trials we encounter, the trauma that finds us, the disappointments that dash our hopes and expectations, the shattered dreams—-can be used to strengthen our character and to develop us into the likeness of Christ. It’s not to say that God delights in watching us suffer or that He is the one who brings trauma and destruction into our lives just to watch us struggle. But He will use it for our good and His glory. I love the commentary that was added to James 1:2-4 in my Life Application Bible:
We can't really know the strength of our character until we see how we react under pressure....God wants to develop us into complete human beings, not simply to insulate us from all pain. Enduring through trials generates a whole person---seasoned, experienced, well developed, and fully trained. It gives us the life skills to see our blind spots and anticipate mistakes before we make them. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth. Ask God for wisdom to help you solve your problems or to give you strength to endure them. Then be patient. God will not leave you alone with your problems; he will stay close and help you grow. Thank him for walking with you in rough times. 3
I couldn’t have said it better myself! What difficulty are you walking through right now? Instead of resisting it, will you allow yourself to walk with God in it? Let Him teach you, guide you, strengthen you, build you, prune you, train you, heal you, and love you through this time. God is there, walking with you. He will help you and stay close to you. He will not forsake you or abandon you. In time, you will look back, and see the purpose in the suffering. You will see how much your faith has grown in the testing. Better yet, you will experience a nearness to God as you taste and see that He is truly good (Psalm 34:8)!
References
- Fern Bernstein Quote: “Only God can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victor.” Quotefancy, https://quotefancy.com/quote/3236047/Fern-Bernstein-Only-God-can-turn-a-mess-into-a-message-a-test-into-a-testimony-a-trial. Accessed 18 March 2024.
- Sorge, Bob. Secrets of the Secret Place. Grandview, Missouri, Oasis House, 2021.
- Life Application Study Bible. New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, 2015.
