Finding Purpose in the Pain

Trusting When Life Hurts

Pain is inevitable. At some point, life hands us heartache, disappointment, or loss, leaving us questioning, “Why me?” Whether it’s the end of a relationship, the ache of isolation, or the loss of a loved one, suffering can make us feel as though the pieces of our life are scattered beyond repair. But what if those painful moments are not the end of the story? What if, instead, they are part of a larger plan that we cannot yet see?

Scripture tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NLT), “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.” This assurance gives us hope. Our pain, though real and heavy, has a purpose that is still unfolding.

The Reality of Pain

I’ve experienced firsthand how life can feel like a cold, isolating space, far removed from the warmth of familiarity. I remember moving from sunny, vibrant Hawaii to the rainy, gray skies of Seattle. I left behind close friendships, warm beaches, and even a relationship I had hoped would last a lifetime. Seattle felt like a world away from everything I loved, and with the cold weather came a deep coldness within me. I could feel the damp air wrap around me like a blanket of isolation, a stark contrast to the warmth I had known. The man I thought I would build a future with had let me go, and I felt like I was left with nothing but the ache of heartbreak and the confusion of lost dreams.

Those Seattle days were dark—both outside and within my soul. I questioned why God would allow me to feel such pain. I wondered, “God, where are You in this? How can any of this be part of Your plan for me?” At the time, I couldn’t see how that season of isolation and heartache would fit into any larger purpose. But slowly, over time, I began to see God’s hand at work.

Trusting in God’s Faithfulness

During those lonely Seattle nights, I wrestled with broken dreams. I had envisioned a future with that man—a family, a life together. But that dream was no longer mine. In that pain, I had to learn to trust God’s plan, even when I couldn’t see the path forward. As I clung to His promises, I realized that what felt like an ending was really a new beginning.

One of my favorite quotes from C.S. Lewis came to mind often during that time: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” I couldn’t go back and fix the past or reclaim what I had lost. But I could choose to move forward, trusting that God was working something new out of my suffering. And that’s exactly what I had to do. I couldn’t change the fact that my relationship had ended, but I could trust God’s faithfulness and know He was shaping the next chapter of my life.

Years later, I look back and see God’s faithfulness. If I had stayed in that relationship, I wouldn’t have finished college, nor would I have met the incredible people who are in my life today. Every piece of that painful season—while I didn’t understand it at the time—was part of the plan God had for me. I now understand the truth behind Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The things we often see as dead ends are really stepping stones leading us toward something far greater than we can imagine.

Purpose in the Pain

Suffering can feel senseless in the moment. We wonder why a good God would allow us to endure such heartache and confusion. But every thread of pain is woven into a greater tapestry, one that we may not fully understand this side of eternity.

Helen Keller once said, “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” It’s in these moments of darkness that we are stretched, refined, and prepared for the next chapter of our lives. It was during that season of rebuilding in Seattle that I learned one of the greatest truths: God never wastes our pain. Without the rain of Seattle, I would never have learned how to find my own sunshine, to build new relationships, and to trust that God’s plan is far better than the one I had for myself.

The painful pieces of our lives may not make sense right now, but they are essential parts of our growth. They are the very things that shape us, teach us resilience, and deepen our faith. I now see that Seattle wasn’t just a season of loss—it was a season of rebuilding, one where God planted seeds for a future I couldn’t yet imagine.

Soul Insights

Pain is Not Wasted: Every hurt, heartbreak, or disappointment you experience has a purpose in God’s plan. It may not make sense now, but each piece will eventually fit into the larger story He’s writing for your life.
Embrace the Unknown: Life rarely follows the path we expect. Rather than resist change or uncertainty, lean into it with trust. As Helen Keller said, suffering is inevitable, but overcoming it is possible with faith.
Let Go to Grow: Sometimes, the things we hold onto the tightest are the very things that God is asking us to release. Letting go, though painful, opens the door to new growth and opportunities we would have otherwise missed.
Clarity Comes with Time: When you’re in the middle of a difficult season, it’s hard to see the bigger picture. Be patient. Over time, the pieces of your life will come together, and you’ll see how God was working behind the scenes all along.
God’s Plan is Always Greater: The dreams you had for yourself may have fallen apart, but that doesn’t mean your story is over. Trust that God is leading you toward something greater, even if the road is rocky right now. Like C.S. Lewis reminded us, you can’t change the past, but you can trust God to rewrite your future.

Final Thoughts:

Suffering may be a universal part of the human experience, but it’s also a tool that shapes us in ways we might not understand until much later. I didn’t realize it at the time, but my move to Seattle and the heartache that followed were essential to my growth. God used that pain to open doors I hadn’t even considered. Now, years later, I can look back and say with confidence that every piece of the puzzle fit exactly where it was meant to.

As you go through your own seasons of pain, remember that God is still at work. Your story is not over, and the pain you feel now is a crucial part of the purpose He’s preparing you for. One day, the pieces will come together, and the clarity you long for will arrive. Until then, trust that He is weaving every thread of your life into something beautiful.

Soul Path Insights