Purpose in Pain

I recently had the privilege to address my local Toastmasters group where I shared on the purpose in pain. We all go through things in life, painful times, but how often do we purposefully look for the purpose in the pain? This isn’t easy. In my speech, titled Purposefully Painful, I shared three instances that taught me about the purpose in pain.

Becoming a Teen Mom

If you’ve read my blog, you know that I was a teen mom. When I was 17, as a college freshman, I learned that I was pregnant. Miles away from home, without much money or support, I felt lost and hopeless. It was a depressing and scary time in my life. Through that situation, I have learned that nothing you go through can define you if you don’t let it. I had to grow up fast, had to lose a few friends, even lost my college scholarship, but there was purpose in the pain.

Years later, I began working on staff at a crisis pregnancy center, where I helped many women and teens facing unexpected pregnancies to cope and formulate a life-affirming plan.

I Had My Baby In My Car

Three years after becoming a teen mom, my (now) husband and I were expecting our second child. Little did I know, our daughter was in a hurry. She decided not to wait until we got to the hospital, or fire station in her case, but to come out right there on my front seat. You’ve got to hear this! (video below)

The Day My Best Friend Died

Seven years later, I was in Target with my daughter when my best friend’s husband’s number flashed across my cell phone. I had planned on visiting her the next day like I had done nearly every day the week prior. I nearly dropped the phone when he said, “Dana, she’s gone.” Sharicka had lost her fight with stage 4 breast cancer and I was devastated! If you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you know that pain. It grips you and won’t let go.

I questioned everything I thought I knew about God. Why would he take her? She was so loving, kind and she had a young son. But yep, there was purpose in this pain too.

After Sharicka died, so many people talked about how she inspired their relationship with God to go deeper. She was such a bright light with a huge smile. What the enemy meant for bad, God turned it around for good.

So I want to challenge you to look for the purpose in the painful moments you experience. I’m not saying to deny or minimize the pain, but after you’ve dried your tears, understand that there is always purpose in pain if you are willing to see it.

Like this blog? Be sure to subscribe for automatic blog updates!