Pain is inevitable. It’s not a matter of if it comes; but rather, when it comes. We can’t avoid it; there is no way around it. But we can choose how we respond to it. This week we are reminded that God does allow the pain, however he has a purpose for it, he is present through it, and promises that in the end, all things will be made new. This 5-day devotional will help you learn what it means to suffer well – to anchor your hope and foundation in God’s presence, his sovereignty, purpose, character, and ultimate promise. It’s not easy to suffer well, but doing so points to Christ – our ultimate hope.
Day 1
God’s Presence in the Midst of Pain and Suffering
Job 1:13-22; Job 23:8-10
Maybe you can resonate with Job’s life right now. Death, sickness, disease, and brokenness are the themes of your life. For Job, it happened all at once. Everything was taken away from him in one moment. He suffered more than most of us will ever endure in our entire lifetime. Despite his suffering, Job knew one thing: God was present the entire time. In this passage, we read in vs. 10: “But he knows the way that I take.” Imagine a child lost in a crowded store; they can’t see their parent and they panic. However, the parent never left, they were with them the whole time. When we suffer, we may not see God or even feel His presence. We feel surrounded by our suffering. Job felt like God was hidden and wasn’t with Him. But he trusted that God was with him wherever he went. James 4:8 says, “Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” When we draw near to God, He draws near to us. Today, no matter what kind of pain or suffering you are facing, draw near to God – trust that He is with you and know that He is with you. Suffering well means trusting in God’s presence even when He feels distant.
What is something you enjoy doing – that by doing so, you experience God? Maybe it’s taking a walk, watching the stars at night, or going on a car ride. Take time today to intentionally draw near to God.
“You don’t really know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.”
– Tim Keller
For further study, read Psalm 34:18
Day 2
God’s Sovereignty in our Suffering
Job 38:1-11
When we experience pain, we do whatever we can to control it. However, when we suffer, we must trust that God is in control. God reminds Job that not only is God in control of the small day-to-day things – He was the one who created all things into existence. You are in a plane, the clouds are hiding your view, and a storm is settling in. You may not be able to see the exact path you are taking; however, the Pilot has the instruments and the plan right in front of him – he is in control of the plane. God is the one who set things into motion. He is the one who allows all things to fall into place. God has authority over all creation and every circumstance. If we truly believe this, we must surrender the areas we are suffering with to God. It’s not always easy to do this, because we want to control it ourselves. Suffering well means surrendering control to the One who holds the universe.
Have you handed over your pain and suffering to God? What is keeping you from going all in with Jesus – allowing Him to be in control of your circumstances?
“God doesn’t always remove pain, but He does always redeem it.”
– Josh Howerton
For further study, read Isaiah 55:8-9
Day 3
Finding Comfort in God’s Purpose
Job 42:1-6
When we suffer, often the first question that comes out of us is: why? Why does this have to happen? Why me? Why now? Why does suffering happen – is there any kind of meaning behind it, or does it just happen? Job found comfort in knowing God had a purpose for his suffering. Job said, “No purpose of yours can be thwarted.” God has a purpose for each of us. But not always is the purpose of our suffering revealed to us. Sometimes suffering well means trusting and believing that God has a purpose for our lives, even when we don’t see it.
When a sculptor is creating something, it takes a lot of work. Chisels and other tools shape and mold a single piece of boring rock or wood into something that is majestic and beautiful. It takes time, patience, and resilience to do something great.
Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” We are constantly being molded into a greater purpose for God’s glory.
How might God be using your pain to grow you in your character or faith? Write down a few thoughts today and pray that God would use this to glorify Him and build your faith.
“God’s design in our pain enables us to look back and say: He loves me enough to take me where I would have never wanted to go in order to produce in me what I never could have achieved on my own.”
– Paul David Tripp
For further study, read Romans 5:1-8
Day 4
Finding Comfort in God’s Character
Job 19:25-27
When everything in life fails, what keeps you from falling into despair? We can be quick to relieve ourselves with instant gratification or justifying things that allow us to escape suffering. Suffering well means anchoring our hope in who God is, not in what allows us to escape our reality. In Job 19:25-27, Job says, “I know that my redeemer lives… I myself will see him.” Job found comfort knowing that his Redeemer lives. A lighthouse is an extremely important tool that is used to protect a ship from crashing. Even through heavy storms, winds pulling, rain falling, waves crashing, the light never goes out. God’s character is steady. Even when everything else fails, God is faithful. Even in the darkest moments of life. God will be there for you to defend, protect, and love you. Job trusted that in the end, God would make all things right. Job didn’t allow the present trials to affect his eternal view of who God was and is.
Do you struggle in finding this same comfort as Job did? Do you fall into the trap of justifying things to make the situation ok? Today, write down 3 attributes of God that bring you comfort and peace. Attach a Scripture verse to each attribute. Meditate on these things and allow God’s character to comfort you during this time.
“Slow down. Breathe. Come back to the moment. Receive the good as gift. Accept the hard as a pathway to peace. Abide.”
– John Mark Comer
For further study, read Lamentations 3:22-23
Day 5
Finding Hope Beyond Our Suffering
Job 42:10-17; Revelation 21:4
You might be asking yourself, will this pain ever end? Will this suffering ever come to a complete and total end? Those who run marathons understand how exhausting running can be. On average, about 85-90% of those runners who begin a marathon finish it. These runners press on because they know the reward of simply completing it is worth it. Our suffering is temporary compared to the eternal joy that awaits us. At the end of Job, we read, “The Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” Job lived a life full of suffering, but he trusted in God and found hope that in the end, God would restore all things. The good news for us is that the same will be done for us. In the end, we read that “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” No more suffering. No more pain. No more brokenness. When we suffer well, we live with the end in mind – having eternal hope. Not allowing our temporary expectations to control us.
Do you have this hope? That one day, every tear will be wiped away? This is the reality for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Is there someone in your life who needs this encouragement today – that our present pain is not final?
“Suffering is not an embarrassment to the Christian faith. It is the thread with which Christ’s name is stitched into our lives.”
– Rebecca McLaughlin
For further study, read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
If you enjoyed this reading plan, check out our daily devotions; Every Day with God. You can read them online, subscribe to daily emails, or read them in the Grace Church app!