Suffering Brings Us Closer To God
From Pain to Purpose: How Suffering Brings Us Closer to God
Have you ever been so devastated that you wanted to be angry at God? Have you felt exhausted, confused, and stuck in your suffering, wondering where God is in all of it?
You’re not alone, and there’s a purpose even in the deepest pain.
Read below how suffering brings us closer to God.
From Pain to Purpose: How Suffering Brings Us Closer to God
When was the last time you felt truly understood in your pain? It’s easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed, especially when hardship seems relentless.
But what if I told you that suffering is not just a random occurrence, but a part of our faith journey, designed to make us more like Christ?
In the United States, we’ve grown accustomed to comfort and ease. When suffering strikes, it feels like a foreign invader disrupting our carefully crafted lives.
However, the New Testament paints a vastly different picture—one where suffering is not an anomaly but a crucible for faith and transformation.
The apostle Paul, for instance, endured beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks. Yet, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Paul’s perspective challenges us to see our struggles not as signs of God’s absence, but as opportunities to experience His power more deeply and to become more like Jesus.
Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Each trial we face is a step in the process of becoming more Christ-like. Our suffering refines us, building our character and deepening our hope.
As Christian women, we often feel the pressure to hold everything together. But the truth is, it’s okay to admit that we’re struggling.
James 1:2-4 encourages us to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Our trials are not meant to break us but to build us up, to develop a mature and resilient faith that mirrors Jesus.
Let me share a bit of my own journey. I can be quite a stubborn daughter of God.
I absolutely hated the betrayal I went through. It felt like my world was falling apart. But as I look back, I am thankful because it brought me to my knees before God like never before and caused me to cling to Him.
Through ugly, angry, and heartbroken tears, I clung to God, and He used that pain to shape me and bring me closer to Him.
Was it fair? No! But it did bring me closer to God, and for that, I am thankful. My suffering taught me to rely on God in a deeper way and drew me into a closer relationship with Him.
Jesus, our ultimate example, endured the cross for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). His suffering was purposeful, leading to our redemption.
Similarly, our pain is not pointless. It has the potential to draw us closer to God, to refine our faith, and to make us more like Christ.
In the midst of your suffering, know that you are not alone. God is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). He sees your pain and promises to walk with you through every valley.
Remember, suffering does not mean you are forsaken; it means you are being formed into the image of Christ.
Let us embrace our trials with faith, knowing that God is using them for His glory and our good. When we are weak, His strength shines through.
So, lean into Him, allow His grace to be sufficient for you, and trust that He is at work even in the hardest times. Your suffering is molding you to be more like Jesus, a beautiful reflection of His love and grace.
I can be quite a stubborn daughter of God. If it takes suffering to keep me at the feet of Jesus, then my prayer is, “Lord, bring the rain.”
Why Does Suffering Bring Us Closer To God
Suffering brings us closer to God because it breaks down our reliance on our own strength and forces us to depend on Him. It refines our faith, making it stronger and more resilient. In our pain, we seek God more earnestly, deepening our relationship with Him. Suffering shapes us to be more like Christ by building perseverance, character, and hope. It shifts our focus from earthly concerns to eternal promises, fostering spiritual growth and a deeper trust in God. Through suffering, we experience God’s comfort, which enables us to comfort others.
What Does God Say About Our Suffering
God assures us that our suffering has a purpose; it refines our faith and builds character (James 1:2-4). He promises His presence, being near to the brokenhearted and saving those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). In our weakness, His power is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and through our trials, suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-4). Moreover, God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can, in turn, comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
How And Why Does Personal Suffering Help You Seek God
Personal suffering helps you seek God by stripping away self-reliance and control, compelling you to depend on His strength and guidance. It tests and refines your faith, making it stronger and more resilient. In times of pain, you turn to God more earnestly in prayer and reliance, deepening your relationship with Him.
Suffering shapes you to be more like Christ, as it produces perseverance, character, and hope. Experiencing God’s comfort in your struggles enables you to comfort others in their pain. Ultimately, suffering shifts your focus from temporary earthly concerns to eternal heavenly promises, fostering significant spiritual growth and a deeper trust in God.
How Does God Feel When We Suffer
God deeply cares about our suffering. He is compassionate and empathetic, feeling our pain and sorrow. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” God grieves with us in our distress and offers His comfort and presence. He is not indifferent to our struggles but is intimately involved, providing strength, hope, and healing. In our suffering, God works to draw us closer to Him, using our pain to bring about growth and transformation in our lives.
Prayer For Finding God In Suffering
Dear Heavenly Father,
In our moments of deepest pain and struggle, we come before You with hearts that are weary and broken. We confess that sometimes we don’t understand why we must endure suffering, and it can feel overwhelming and isolating. But, Lord, we know that You are close to the brokenhearted and that You save those who are crushed in spirit.
Father, we ask for Your strength to sustain us when we feel weak. Help us to lean on Your grace, which is sufficient for us, and to find Your power made perfect in our weakness. As we face trials and hardships, refine our faith, build our character, and deepen our hope in You.
Lord, draw us closer to You through our suffering. Let these difficult times be opportunities for us to seek You more earnestly and to experience Your presence in profound ways. May our pain not be in vain but serve to mold us into the image of Christ, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.
Thank You for comforting us in all our troubles so that we can, in turn, comfort others with the same comfort we have received from You. Shift our focus from earthly concerns to Your eternal promises, and help us to trust in Your perfect plan for our lives, even when we cannot see the way forward.
We cling to You, Lord, in our suffering, and we trust that You are working all things for our good and Your glory. Use our pain to draw us nearer to You and to reveal Your love and grace in our lives.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Feeling alone in your faith journey? You don’t have to be.
Come join my online women’s Bible study—where real-life struggles meet real community. Grow in your walk with God, find encouragement for the hard days, and build soul-deep friendships with women who get it.
No pressure. No pretending. Just Jesus, coffee, and sisters who care.
