Trusting God in the Trials of Life: Part 4 – Revealing His Power Through Our Pain
Suffering is one of the deepest mysteries of life. While we naturally seek to avoid it, the Bible reveals that God can use our pain to display His glory and draw others closer to Himself. In this session, we will explore how suffering, far from being meaningless, becomes a powerful platform for God’s purposes.
Jesus: The Ultimate Example of Suffering for Glory
No discussion on suffering can begin without looking to Jesus, who endured unimaginable agony for the sake of God’s glory and our salvation. The author of Hebrews points us to His example:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Jesus’ suffering on the cross was not merely a tragic event; it was the pinnacle of God’s redemptive plan. Through His pain, the greatest display of God’s love, grace, and glory was revealed.
Suffering as a Testimony to God’s Glory
The Blind Man in John 9
In John 9, Jesus encounters a man blind from birth. His disciples ask, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus’ reply reframes their understanding of suffering:
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him”(John 9:3).
Through this man’s suffering, Jesus displayed God’s power by giving him sight. More importantly, his testimony became a powerful witness to God’s glory.
Our Response to Suffering: A Witness to God’s Goodness
Paul reminds us that our lives, even in suffering, are meant to reflect God’s glory:
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (2 Corinthians 4:7).
The image of “jars of clay” emphasizes our frailty and imperfection, yet God uses us to reveal His strength and glory. When we respond to suffering with trust and hope, we show the world a glimpse of God’s sustaining power.
Testimonies of Believers Who Suffered Well
Throughout history, countless believers have glorified God through their suffering. Consider these examples:
Paul and Silas in Prison: Beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel, they sang hymns to God at midnight. Their faith in suffering led to the jailer and his household coming to faith (Acts 16:25-34).
Joni Eareckson Tada: Paralyzed in a diving accident, she has spent decades sharing how God’s grace sustains her and brings purpose to her pain. Her life and ministry have inspired millions to trust God in their own trials.
These testimonies remind us that God can use our darkest moments to shine His light to others.
God’s Strength Made Perfect in Weakness
Paul’s personal experience with suffering highlights how God’s glory is revealed through our weakness:
“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” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was not removed, yet he found peace and purpose in knowing that his suffering displayed God’s power and grace.
Practical Application: Pointing Others to God in Our Struggles
Identify Your Struggles
Reflect on a current or past difficulty in your life. What emotions and questions has it raised?
Seek God’s Perspective
Prayerfully ask how God might use this struggle to reveal His glory or draw others to Him. Consider His promises and purposes in Scripture.
Live Your Testimony
Think about ways you can share your journey with others. It might be a conversation with a friend, a testimony at church, or even a simple prayer with someone going through a similar trial.
Challenge Yourself
Write down one tangible way you can glorify God in your current struggle this week. Pray for the courage and wisdom to act on it.
Reflection Questions
How has God been glorified in your past experiences of suffering?
What does it mean to you that Jesus Himself endured suffering for God’s glory?
How can your current challenges serve as a testimony to others?
Closing Thoughts
Suffering is never easy, but it is not without purpose. When we trust God in our trials, we become living testimonies of His grace, power, and faithfulness. As Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him, we too can embrace our struggles, knowing they serve a greater purpose.
May we, like Paul, declare:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).
In our next session, we will explore how God redeems suffering to bring eternal good and lasting fruit. Until then, let us trust Him to use our pain for His glory and others’ good.