When Pain Feels Pointless
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
- Psalm 56:8
Have you ever felt like your pain serves no purpose? Like you're just randomly suffering with no rhyme or reason? You're not alone. Many of us struggle with making sense of our pain, especially when it feels endless or meaningless. But here's a profound truth: our pain is never pointless to God. Even when we can't see the purpose, even when it feels like we're drowning in sorrow, God sees, knows, and deeply cares about our suffering. He doesn't expect us to immediately understand or find meaning in our pain. Instead, He invites us to bring our raw, honest emotions to Him, knowing that He can handle our questions, doubts, and struggles.
“Our pain is not pointless because that's what it feels like when we have pain. Just feels like we're on the wrong side of the cosmic sledgehammer that just for whatever reason landed on our sphere. God has a purpose for it, even when we don't know what it is.”
-Greg Dutcher
Reflection Question
When was the last time you allowed yourself to be completely honest with God about your pain, without trying to find an immediate solution or silver lining?
PRAYER
Father, thank you that you see my pain and collect every tear. Help me trust that even when I can't see the purpose, you are present and working. Give me the courage to be honest with you about my struggles. Amen.