June 02, 2025
Daily Devotion:
"Pain With a Purpose"
Philippians 1:12
New Living Translation
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, [a] that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
How do you feel when you look back on painful experiences? Some things you're probably just thankful to have survived. Then there are those experiences where you're able to see the bigger picture and discern some purpose behind the pain. Maybe a tragedy brought some healing to broken relationships or caused someone to seek God. It changeseverything when you can see that your suffering wasn't in vain.
Paul's letter to the Philippians is often called the “joy letter” because of its emphasis on rejoicing even in trials. How was Paul able to issue this call to rejoice after all he had endured? It was because he saw the greater purpose. Paul knew thateverything that happened to him caused the gospel to be spread, and that brought him great joy.
You, too, can rejoice in the midst of pain knowing that your God can use it for His glory. Nothing you endure is ever in vain if you allow it to make His name known.
