Who among us, at some point in life, hasn’t found themselves facing a situation so difficult, so painful, that the only question they could formulate was: ‘Why me, Lord?’ or ‘How much more can I endure?’
Pain, suffering, disappointments, losses… they are universal, the truth is that pain is an undeniable part of the human experience.
It could be the illness of a loved one, the financial struggle that weighs heavily on the heart, the challenge of seeing a beloved child stray from the Lord’s path, the deep loneliness in a new land, the depression that tries to steal our joy, or the grief of losing someone we love deeply. No one is immune.
And I know that many of you, just like me, believe in the supernatural of God. Since my conversion, I have experienced miracles, I have believed in the impossible, and I constantly preach about the limitless power of our God. But it is precisely because of this living faith that I need to be honest with you today, and preach the Word of God in all its truth: ‘No matter how great our faith may be: we will go through moments of crisis, moments of pain, and through suffering.’
My own 26-year journey as a pastor taught me a lesson that, to be honest, was shocking at first, but truly transformative: ‘The importance of pain for our purpose.’
When pain arrives, our first reaction is often to ask: “Why?” or “How long, O Lord?”. But the Bible invites us to ask a different question: “What does God want to teach me through this?” and “How can He use this to shape my character?”
My brothers and sisters, ‘resilience is important for success,’ both in life and in faith. Pain is what forges that resilience within us.
So, today, we are going to delve into God’s Word to explore how He, in His sovereignty and love, uses the ‘fire’ of suffering not to destroy us, but to refine us, strengthen our character, and prepare us for a much greater purpose in Him.
This message is not about glorifying pain, but about learning to find God in the midst of it, allowing Him to work in us, building the greatness He has for each one of you.
1- THE BIBLE REVEALS GOD’S PURPOSE IN PAIN: THE FORGING OF CHARACTER
- Suffering Produces Perseverance, Character, and Hope
(Romans 5:3-5 – NKJV)
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 – NKJV
Tribulation → Perseverance
Pain forces us not to give up, to depend on God in ways we would not in times of prosperity. It is in weakness that God’s strength is made perfect, as it says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 – NKJV : “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness”
Perseverance → Proven Character
Through perseverance, we are tested and approved. Our character is refined, the rough edges are smoothed. We develop patience, humility, compassion, and unwavering faith. Character is not formed by intelligent people; it is formed by people who have suffered.” Pain and suffering are the agents that train and refine our character.
Proven Character → Hope
A character that has passed through the fire and been approved does not crumble. It generates a firm and unshakeable hope in God because we experience His faithfulness in the midst of pain. This is not an empty hope, but a certainty rooted in the love of God, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
- Trials Produce Maturity
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience; but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 – NKJV
“Joy” in Trial:
James does NOT tell us to enjoy the pain, but to count it all joy. Why? Because he shows us the end result: maturity and completeness in Christ.
It is the testing of our faith that increases our resilience.
Faith Being Tested:
Just as gold is tried in fire to remove impurities, so is our faith tested. This reveals the quality of our faith and where we still need to grow and trust God more.
Being “Mature and Complete”: God does not want us to be superficial Christians, but deep, resilient ones, who reflect Jesus in all circumstances. Pain is one of God’s instruments to lead us to this completeness.
- Suffering Prepares Us to Comfort Others
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – NKJV
It’s Not Just About Us:
The pain we experience is not only for our own growth but also to equip us to minister to others.
God’s “Comfort”:
When God comforts us in our pain, He enables us to understand and empathise with the pain of others. A leader or disciple who has suffered is a more compassionate, more effective leader/disciple in caring for and shepherding.
A Ministry of Comfort:
Our own testimony of overcoming and our faith in God through difficulties becomes a source of hope and encouragement for those suffering around us. This is vital for the mission and discipleship in our multicultural community.
- JESUS: THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF CHARACTER FORGED IN PAIN
We cannot speak of suffering and character without looking to Jesus. He, who had no sin, experienced the greatest pain and suffering of humanity on the cross.
Isaiah 53:3 – NIV
“He was despised and rejected by mankind, a Man of suffering, and familiar with pain.”
Hebrews 5:8 – NKJV
“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
Though he was a Son, He learned obedience from what he suffered, and was thus made perfect as our High Priest.
- HOW DO WE RESPOND TO GOD’S FORGING?
Don’t waste your pain; don’t waste your time of suffering and waiting. Instead, ask God to reveal what He wants to accomplish in you through it. Because it is in this process that character is forged.
Discerning the nature of suffering with maturity:
We need to be mature and understand: Sin brings consequences, but not all suffering is a result of sin. The Bible is clear: “Do not be deceived, God cannot be mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7, NKJV).
If we partake of the Lord’s Supper unworthily, the Bible warns us that “for this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” (1 Corinthians 11:30, NKJV). This shows us that sin can indeed lead to illness and infirmities.
However, not all illnesses and sufferings are caused by taking the Lord’s Supper unworthily, or even by a specific sin. Think of Job, an upright man who suffered immensely without having sinned. Or the man born blind, about whom Jesus said: “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John 9:3, NKJV).
There are people who suffer financially because they do not like to work, they are lazy; they are in financial crisis because they do not want to work hard, but it is crucial to recognise that not everyone suffering financially is lazy.
Often, adversity comes without apparent fault. We need to be mature, evaluate ourselves by the Word of God, and seek help from our leaders, who are more mature, to help us discern and walk with wisdom and faith through these situations.
Leadership and Pain
Dr. Sam Chand observes in his book “Leadership Pain” two things:
1- “The best leaders have had to endure more pain.”
2- “If you are not suffering, you are not leading.”
If God wants to entrust more to us, we will have to endure more. Pain is an indicator of growth and influence.
We Need Develop Resilience: It is vital that we are not like ‘spineless snowflakes’ or ‘sugar that melts in the rain’ – people who refuse to develop resilience through suffering and perseverance.
There are many who look at the weather – the rain, the wind, and the cold – and say: “It’s better not to go to church; let’s stay home because it’s raining!”
Avoiding suffering at all costs means losing what God has for you. Allow the Lord to develop long-suffering and resilience within you.
Seek His Word and Praying: It is in the Word and in prayer that we find the strength, faith and perspective to navigate the valley of suffering.
Allow Yourselves to Be Moulded: Surrender to the process. It may be painful, but it is for your good and for God’s glory.
Use your experience to encourage and guide those who are going through similar sufferings.
Conclusion
Beloved ones, pain and suffering are inevitable, but through them, God builds perseverance, shapes character, and places an unshakeable hope in us. He empowers us to comfort others and makes us more like Christ.
It is through pain that our resilience is formed, and the greatness of our character is manifested.
We all face challenges. “Whatever you are going through right now, do not dismiss it; God is using it to develop you, especially to develop within you a resilient mind, a resilient spirit, and an unwavering faith!”
May each of us, when facing pain, not shut ourselves off or become embittered, but open ourselves to God’s work, allowing Him to forge in us a character that glorifies Him and blesses the world around us.
God does not send pain, but He uses it to form the character of Christ within us.
In conclusion, my challenge to you is this: have a faith that is always unwavering and firm, believing in the impossible and in the supernatural power of God. I am not teaching that God wants you to suffer, but that you should grow, mature, and experience God’s supernatural.
For, even as we go through pain, sorrow, difficulties, and long periods of waiting, let us remember that in the Bible many suffered and waited for years, yet they received the promise and the miracle – like Abraham, who saw the promise fulfilled; Joseph, who after years of suffering ascended to the throne; or so many others who, through their faithfulness, received the greatest of all inheritances: the crown of eternal life.
May every trial, then, forge us and prepare us to live out God’s purpose and inherit what He has reserved for His good and faithful servants.