You never know when God might use you unexpectedly. But if there’s one thing I know, God uses pain for good.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

On a Sunday some time ago, the worship service ended as it always does, with our pastor offering for anyone in need of prayer to come to the altar to pray with one of the altar ministers. I had long felt a tug at my spirit to offer my time as an altar minister but hadn’t pursued it. I always listened to others’ prayers and never felt mine were as eloquent or as poised or powerful.

Yet on this particular Sunday, the need was great. Every available altar minister was busy praying, and others were waiting in line to receive prayer. The altar ministry coordinator came over and asked, “Michelle, will you pray?”

Without hesitation, I answered, “Of course!”

God sees your pain

No sooner did I walk up to the altar, and a sweet lady approached in tears. She shared that she had been battling depression and was struggling to trust God. I smiled, as I looked into her eyes and relayed, “He sees you. He loves you. It’s no accident that you are standing before me today. I’ve been exactly where you are, and He has brought me out on the other side…”

Her eyes, while still glistening from tears, brightened because she knew I understood her pain. She knew she could trust me with her hurts as together we cried and brought her brokenness to God in prayer.

Years ago I suffered through a painful bout of major depression. It was so bad that much like Job, Jonah, and David, I cried out to God that if that was all my life was going to amount to, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on living. BUT if He chose not to take me home, then I wanted my experience with depression to count for something.

I wanted Him to use my pain. I wanted Him to be true to His word in Genesis 50:20 and use what the enemy intended for evil for something good: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.”

How God used my pain for good

When I was in the valley of depression, you would have been hard-pressed to convince me that anything good would come from that experience. But that time made me press in deeper to my relationship with God. It showed me there was purpose for our pain.

It also gave me a deeper level of understanding and compassion for others who walk through that dark valley and feel alone.

Through it, He taught me the importance of addressing the spiritual aspects of depression in order to find true help, hope, and healing.

And now that He has brought me out to the other side, He often gives me the opportunity to offer the same comfort to others that He offered to me.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Some things are difficult to relate to unless you have been through them personally. Depression is one of them. Now that I’ve walked that dark and lonely valley, I have much greater understanding and compassion for others who are walking that road.

My heart goes out to them from a place of knowing. While our experience may be different, I can relate on a level of shared pain and I can enter in from a perspective of “Me too!” that I never could have if I had not traveled that road myself.

Walking with another in their pain is a beautiful thing, and it brings beauty for our own ashes. It’s what allows Jesus to sympathize with our suffering.

If you are going through a difficult time today, let me encourage you that God sees. He is with you, and He will use it for your good and for His glory. Our experiences qualify us for His service.

God uses your pain for good. Your pain is never wasted.

Prayer for the hurting heart

May I pray for you?

Dear Heavenly Father,
You know the hurts and the cries of the one reading this page right now. You see the tears and you know the pain. It is written that you are near to the brokenhearted and you save those who are crushed in spirit. I ask now, Lord, that you would be especially close to your child who is hurting. That you would extend comfort, and lend shelter under your wing. That you would renew their strength. And that by your sovereign hand, you would bring good from whatever the enemy intended for evil, and that you would bring beauty for the painful ashes they are enduring. Comfort even now so that one day they may comfort others with the same comfort you offer now. In Jesus’ precious name I pray, Amen.

 

A prayer for the hurting heart. When you're brokenhearted and need comfort, God meets you where you are and brings beauty for ashes. Are you facing a difficult situation? Read more for ways God can use even your pain for good.

 

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

Hope Prevails Book and Hope Prevails Bible Study offer hope for overcoming depression.

 

Depression doesn't have to become a permanent way of life. Find hope in Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study

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Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the new companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand: how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.

 

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You never know when God might use you unexpectedly. But if there’s one thing I know, God uses pain for good. Are you facing a difficult situation today? Read more to see how by His sovereign hand, God uses pain for good and brings beauty for painful ashes.

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