Guest Post
by Jeffrey Willems
Does anyone of you like pain? Most people will say no! Some people will even say they hate pain, but I do not believe that is entirely true. I believe people hate pain that has no purpose.
Some people even pay money to experience pain with a purpose. For example: Running in a marathon. Your body goes through tremendous pain and discomfort however you also experience the fulfilment and joy of achieving a goal. Think about pregnancy and childbirth. There is no shortage of pain and discomfort in that process, but we gladly go through with it when we know there is a purpose. Many people pay for gym contracts and work hard to be in shape and build muscle. Now muscle size increases when a person continually challenges the muscles to deal with higher levels of resistance or weight. This process is known as muscle hypertrophy. Muscle hypertrophy occurs when the fibers of the muscles sustain damage or injury. The body repairs damaged fibers by fusing them, which increases the mass and size of the muscles. In other words, if you want big muscles be prepared to suffer pain! Personal trainers will usually use the saying “no pain no gain” to try and motivate you. So, People do not hate pain; they hate pain that has no purpose!

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. (Romans 5:3-4 NLT)
We don’t rejoice because we are facing trials, but we rejoice knowing that after the trial we will be stronger. Our spiritual muscles would have grown and developed because of the pain. No pain no gain. The stronger we are the more God can use us for His glory. Think of how pain prepared people in the Bible to become great men and women of God. Joseph was rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt, he was thrown into prison despite being innocent. However, these painful circumstances had a purpose. They grew him into an excellent leader, and he was able to save many lives during the 7 years of famine in Egypt. Israel is another example, they spent 40 years in the desert. They grew from a nation that never knew God, that always lost faith in him and would grumble and complain to become a strong nation that entered the promised land by conquering 31 kings in order to take possession of the promised land.
None of us enjoy trials and tribulations but God is able to use them for a purpose. Maybe the pain you are going through is preparing you for the next stage of your life. God may be doing something in you before he does something through you.
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4 NLT)
I have been through some painful circumstances, both financially and physically and looking back now I can see how God used them to grow me and strengthen my faith in him. Charles Spurgeon said, “I am certain that I never did grow in grace one-half so much anywhere as I have upon the bed of pain.” Even Jesus experienced pain, in fact he faced far more than we ever will. The son of God left his throne and was born in a manger and lived a humble lifestyle. He was mocked, beaten, and even died on a cross! However, his pain had an incredible purpose! It was so that we could be saved from eternal pain.
Life is short and so are the troubles we face. We can take joy knowing that the pain is temporary and that it has a purpose. It can grow us, teach us, prepare us, strengthen us, and equip us for the work God has assigned to us on this earth.
God bless you all,
Jeff