Finding Purpose After Pain

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28

This is one of the most quoted—and most misunderstood—verses in Scripture.

It doesn’t say that all things are good. It says that God works in all things for good. There’s a massive difference.

Your trauma wasn’t good. Your pain wasn’t God’s will. The things that hurt you weren’t part of some divine plan to build your character.

But here’s the miracle: God can take what was meant to destroy you and turn it into the very thing that fulfills your purpose.

From Victim to Victor

I’ve walked this journey myself, and I’ve walked it with countless clients. The transition from victim to victor isn’t about pretending the pain didn’t happen or minimizing its impact.

It’s about discovering that:

• Your past doesn’t define your future
• Your pain can become your platform
• Your suffering can become your ministry
• Your scars can become your strength

The Purpose Hidden in Pain

Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Years of injustice followed. But eventually, Joseph stood before those same brothers and said, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

Your pain has a purpose.

Not because the pain itself was good, but because God specializes in redemption. He takes what the enemy meant for evil and transforms it into something that brings healing—not just to you, but to others.

Discovering Your Purpose

If you’re wondering how to find purpose after pain, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Your Purpose is in Your Story

The very things you’ve overcome are the things God will use to help others overcome. Your healing journey qualifies you to help others heal.

2. Your Purpose Requires Your Healing

You can’t effectively help others from a place of unhealed wounds. Purpose flows from wholeness, not brokenness. Do the work of healing first.

3. Your Purpose Starts Small

You don’t have to write a book or start a ministry. Sometimes your purpose is simply being honest with one person about your journey and giving them hope that healing is possible.

4. Your Purpose Grows with Your Healing

As you heal, your capacity to serve grows. What starts as sharing your story with one person can grow into coaching, speaking, writing, or leading others to freedom.

The Ministry of Scars

Jesus’ resurrected body still bore the scars of crucifixion. He could have appeared without them, but He didn’t. Those scars were proof—proof of what He endured, proof of His love, proof of His victory.

Your scars are the same. They’re proof of:

• What you survived
• God’s sustaining power
• The victory that’s possible
• The hope others need

Your Pain, Your Platform

I never wanted to be a trauma healing coach. I wanted my life to be easy, pain-free, uncomplicated. But my own journey through trauma—the 18-month wilderness, the hard-won healing, the discovery of God’s redemptive power—became the foundation of my purpose.

Now I get to walk with others through their wildernesses. I get to remind them that healing is possible, that purpose is waiting, that God wastes nothing.

This is what purpose after pain looks like.

What Now?

If you’re reading this and you’re still in pain, please hear me: your healing matters. Don’t rush the process. Give yourself permission to acknowledge the hurt, process the pain, and walk through the stages of healing.

But also know this: on the other side of your healing is a purpose so beautiful, so meaningful, that you’ll look back and see how God really did work all things together for good.

Questions to Reflect On

• How has your pain shaped who you are today?
• What have you learned through suffering that could help someone else?
• In what small ways could you begin to use your story for good?
• What would it look like to fully embrace your purpose?

The Journey Continues

Finding purpose after pain isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing journey of discovering more and more ways that God can redeem what was broken.

Your story isn’t over. In fact, the best chapters may still be ahead.

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Ready to discover your purpose? Explore my book The Meaningful Life or schedule a coaching discovery call to begin uncovering the purpose hidden in your pain.