Pain is what accelerates desire. Similarly, pain is what intensifies a passion that is already birthed within us. It was the psalmist David who declared:

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
-Psalms 34:18-19 ESV

The Lord doesn’t promise the righteous will not experience afflictions, but He does promise to deliver them.

If you reflect upon the year 2020, you can easily conclude that it’s been a year of anguish, anxiety, and pain.

• COVID-19 pandemic that has affected over 20 million people.
• A stock market crash that resulted in the Dow Jones industrial average suffering its worst point drop on March 9.
• The police killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd resulted in demonstrations and protests of racial injustices.
• A massive explosion at a Beirut port, sparked August 4 by the accidental detonation of 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate, killed at least 190 people and injured thousands of others.
• Deadly wildfires erupted from California to Washington state, burning millions of acres and displacing hundreds of thousands of people since mid-August.
• America witnessed a very contentious and divisive presidential election.

However, this pain isn’t totally without cause. It served a purpose to redirect our focus and attention. We have felt compelled to turn our focus back on Jesus Christ. It has been through discomfort, uncertainty, and pain, that we have been reminded of the one who holds tomorrow in His hands: Jesus Christ. We have been reminded of His divine Sovereignty and power. Even within the pain that 2020 has brought, there has been a comfort in knowing that Christ is with us and will never leave or forsake us.

There is a temptation to listen to our own voice and take credit for whatever successes may come our way in good seasons. Seasons of pain and anguish force us to be more dependent on God: we must tune out other voices and lean into His.

“When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.”
– Deuteronomy 4:30

“In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
– Psalm 18:6

“In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.”
– Psalm 31:22

Pain is an ally, not a victim. But we tend to rebuke and dismiss the pain instead of embracing it. Pain is necessary for us to access the promises God has given us. Allow me to ask you this pressing question: How badly do you really want to be like Jesus?! Do you want just His benefits, or do you want to take on His nature? Because to identify with Christ, you must also identify with pain. But fear not, you will make it, and you will thrive.

There are a couple of biblical stories that prove this point.

The story of Joseph:

“So when Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern.”
-Genesis 37:23-24

His brothers were able to strip Joseph of his possession, but not his promise. Joseph went from being in a dry, cold, empty pit to the palace of the King. This tells us that elevation doesn’t come without isolation. The pain is great, but the promise is much greater.

The story of Job:

“Even though He kills me; I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless, I will argue my ways to His face.”
-Job 13:15 (AMP)

Job lost everything he possessed, making his own family members and friends question his character.

So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning.
-Job 42:12 (NLT)

The second half will be better than the first. The deficit will turn into a surplus. The test will turn into a testimony. The mess will turn into a miracle. The pain will turn into a promise.

Demetrius Minor

Demetrius Minor is a minister, author, and political commentator; former radio talk show host, and television personality. He is also a member of the Project 21 advisory board of black conservative leaders across the United States. He and his wife, Riesa, serve on the leadership staff at Tampa Life Church in Tampa, FL.