Prayer to endure pain
Written and read by Lea Girard
Bible reading:
“Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. Let patience finish its work, that you may be mature and perfect, lacking nothing.”—James 1:2-4
Listen or read below:
In the first chapter of the five-chapter book of James, James begins with a heartfelt encouragement to the 12 tribes scattered around Jerusalem. To these first Christians in the midst of persecution, James provides a bold perspective on their trials. He asks them to think of them as pure joy.
When James, Jesus’ half-brother, wrote this letter, one of the earliest in the New Testament, Christians were living in poverty and hunger. While they struggle to survive, James focuses on what faith produces. He knew that by experiencing pain and hardship, he could develop compassion for others, humility, and the recognition that earthly experiences are temporary. Although the Book of James is relatively short, it is also a very practical guide packed with memorable commands for real, day-to-day struggles.
I have kept this verse close to my heart and recently found it helpful as I was recovering from knee surgery. Trust me, it helps to think positively while healing from surgery doesn’t go as well as you’d hoped. I walk differently now, and my body hurts all the time. But in the grand scheme of a trial, an arthritic knee after an injury is no big deal. But the pain has been going on for years and the frustration is real.
Chronic pain is just one of many tests of our faith. When we have any pain, we wonder. Is God really our Savior, our healer, and our strength? That is why the trial at hand is ultimately for our benefit. It builds in us the tenacity to follow God’s plan for us. It is about continuing to pray with God about the direction of our lives and essentially “seeing what we are made of.”
There is a kind of wise maturation that develops over time through trials as you begin to learn that you are not immortal. You can choose to believe that you are still within God’s plan despite your current condition. So you persevere in your efforts to find a cure, therapy, guidance, etc. to overcome your current challenges, holding fast to your faith that God works all things for good.
Pain tends to bring us closer to God, rather than further away from Him, and increases our awareness of the need for a higher power at all times. By prayer and supplication to God, we can release ourselves from the need to solve everything by relinquishing everything life throws at us. And such faith that inspires hope through pain is truly a great joy. It’s not a temporary happiness, but a deep-seated comfort that comes from knowing that it’s not all about you. Christ did promise that there would be hardships in this life, but as you persevere, you invite God to complete you.
Recently, I listened to a podcast interview with a man who had a traumatic surfing accident and had no pain relief for years. So he decided to become a neurologist to find his own treatment. A big part of his discovery was that our brains have an amazing ability to make decisions about pain and healing. He realized that he felt no pain when his son made him laugh during grueling physical therapy exercises. This taught him that when you are in pain, where you focus is very important.
For Christians, this means being able to focus on the joy that overcomes all trials. And in the process, we gain wisdom about ourselves as we mature. In time, you will realize that the promises you keep as Christians are more powerful than any pain.
Let’s pray.
Dear God,
I understand the challenges I face. Help me shift my focus from the pain to the joy of knowing who you are. During this trial, help me learn how to care for myself and grow in me the qualities I need to mature in the faith. Fill me with your peace. Then you know the outcome and are free to trust that I will always be in your loving hands.
Thank you, Lord. Amen.
Discuss today’s devotion with others in the “Daily Prayer” thread in the Crosswalk Forums.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/tommaso79
Leah Girard is an experienced writer, poet, voice actress, and former faith editor at Crosswalk.com. She currently co-hosts the podcast “Your Daily Prayer” on LifeAudio and shares peaceful, reflective poetry inspired by the wonders of nature on Instagram @wildpeace.poetry. Leah enjoys life with her husband and grown children, and walking in the woods with God.
Related resources: What to do when God seems far away
What do we do when God no longer feels as close as he used to?
Many sincere believers go through seasons when their prayers feel empty, their Bibles feel silent, and God feels mysteriously absent. Especially for leaders, these seasons can feel confusing, discouraging, and even embarrassing.
In this episode of the Unhurried Living podcast, Alan Fadling sits down with theologian and spiritual formation professor Kyle Strobel to discuss his new book, When God Seems Distant, co-written with John Coe. If this episode helps you focus your work and life on God, follow Unhurried Living on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode.
