Reframing Suffering: Finding Purpose in Pain

Devotional

Day 1: Reframing Suffering—God’s Hand in Our Hardship

When we find ourselves in the pit—places of pain, betrayal, or disappointment—it can feel as though God is absent or that our suffering is meaningless. Yet, as seen in Joseph’s story, what appears to be disaster in the moment can, in hindsight, be recognized as the very hand of God at work, weaving together even the darkest moments for a greater purpose. Joseph was thrown into a pit by his brothers, sold into slavery, and endured years of injustice, but later he could say with confidence that God sent him ahead to preserve life. The pit was not the end, but the beginning of God’s redemptive plan. In your own suffering, consider how God might be reframing your pain for a purpose you cannot yet see. [09:21]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Reflection: Think of a painful situation in your life that you have struggled to understand—can you ask God today to help you see how He might be working through it for a greater good?

Day 2: Trials Are Not Strange—Embracing Suffering as Part of the Journey

Suffering is not a strange interruption to the Christian life, but a reality that every believer will face. Peter reminds us not to be surprised by fiery trials, but to rejoice in sharing Christ’s sufferings, knowing that these experiences are part of God’s refining work in us. Rather than asking “Why me?” we are invited to ask, “What now, Lord?”—to look for God’s presence and purpose in the midst of our trials. This shift in perspective allows us to face suffering head-on, trusting that God is shaping us rather than breaking us. [06:42]

1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV)
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Reflection: What is one area of suffering or challenge you are currently facing where you can intentionally shift your question from “Why me?” to “What now, Lord?” and seek God’s direction today?

Day 3: Don’t Retaliate—Responding to Hurt with Blessing

When we are wronged, our natural instinct is to retaliate, to defend ourselves, or to return insult for insult. Yet, Jesus modeled a different way: when reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but entrusted Himself to God. Peter calls us to break the cycle of retaliation and instead bless those who hurt us, refusing to let bitterness shape our response. This supernatural response is only possible through the Spirit’s power and is a powerful witness to the world. [30:23]

1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Reflection: Is there someone who has hurt or offended you recently? What would it look like for you to bless them instead of retaliating, even in a small way, this week?

Day 4: Together in Suffering—The Power of Unity and Fellowship

We were never meant to face suffering alone. Peter writes to the church, reminding us that we are living stones being built together into a spiritual house. Unity and fellowship are essential, especially in times of trial, because encouragement, support, and the stirring up of love and good works happen in community. When we isolate ourselves, we cut ourselves off from the blessing God intends to give through His people. Gathering together—whether on Sundays, in small groups, or over coffee—keeps our faith burning and helps us hold one another up when we are weak. [39:18]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Reflection: Who in your church family could you reach out to this week for encouragement or to offer support, so that neither of you faces your struggles alone?

Day 5: Resurrection Hope—The Final Frame of Our Story

No matter how deep the pit or how long the suffering, the final frame of our story is not pain, but resurrection hope. God promises that one day He will wipe away every tear, and death, mourning, and pain will be no more. This unshakable hope allows us to face our present trials differently, knowing that our suffering is not the end of the story. The worst things are never the last things; in Christ, the dawn is coming, and our pain will be transformed in the light of His glory. [41:30]

Revelation 21:4 (ESV)
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed by pain or disappointment, how can you remind yourself of the hope of resurrection and let that hope shape your response today?

Sermon Summary

Life often throws us into pits—places of pain, disappointment, and confusion that we never would have chosen for ourselves. Yet, as seen in the stories of Benaiah, Joseph, and even in the echoes of Aslan’s sacrifice in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, these pits are not the end of the story. They are the very places where God’s hand is most powerfully at work, reframing our suffering into something redemptive. Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace shows that what others intend for evil, God can use for good. He doesn’t erase the pain, but He gives it a new perspective, weaving it into a greater purpose.

Suffering is not a strange interruption to the Christian life; it is part of the journey. The real question is not “Will I suffer?” but “How will I respond when suffering comes?” Joseph’s life teaches us to move from asking “Why me?” to “What now, Lord?”—to look for God’s purpose in the midst of pain rather than being trapped by self-pity. Each setback, each disappointment, can become a setup for God’s next move in our lives. Even our failures and betrayals, when surrendered to God, become the very places where His mercy and grace are most clearly displayed.

But reframing suffering is not just a personal journey; it is a communal one. We are called to walk together as living stones, built into a spiritual house. Unity and fellowship are essential, especially in times of trial. Isolation is the enemy’s strategy, but God’s design is that we encourage, support, and strengthen one another. Together, we remind each other of the hope that is ours in Christ—a hope that looks beyond present pain to the final frame, where every tear is wiped away and resurrection is the last word.

In the meantime, we anchor ourselves by refusing to cause our own suffering, by not retaliating when wronged, and by not letting trials break us. Instead, we trust that God is at work, refining us, building endurance, character, and hope. The invitation is to let God reframe our pain, to see His presence and purpose even in the darkest pits, and to trust that He is turning every test into a testimony, every mess into a message, and every pain into a promise.

Key Takeaways

1. God reframes our suffering, turning pits into platforms. The very places of rejection, failure, or loss can become the starting points for God’s greatest work in our lives. Like Joseph, what seems like the end may actually be the beginning of a redemptive journey, if we allow God to give us His perspective. [11:39]
2. Setbacks are often setups in disguise. The delays, disappointments, and even our deepest regrets can be woven by God into preparation for future calling and blessing. Our failures do not disqualify us; instead, they become the stage for God’s mercy and grace to be revealed in unexpected ways. [17:45]
3. The shift from “Why me?” to “What now, Lord?” is transformative. Remaining stuck in self-pity keeps us chained to the past, but asking God what He wants to do in and through us right now opens the door to obedience and growth, even in imperfect circumstances. [20:15]
4. Not all suffering is persecution or the enemy’s attack; sometimes it is the natural consequence of our own choices. We must be honest about the source of our pain, take responsibility where needed, and avoid blaming the enemy for what is actually within our control to change. [24:20]
5. Reframing suffering is both personal and communal. We are called to walk together as living stones, supporting and encouraging one another, especially in times of trial. Isolation weakens us, but unity brings God’s blessing and reminds us of the hope that one day, all suffering will be wiped away in Christ’s resurrection victory. [39:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[04:15] - The Pit: Benaiah and the Lion
[05:13] - Joseph: Suffering and Redemption
[06:42] - Suffering Is Not Strange
[08:24] - Joseph’s Pit and God’s Hand
[10:21] - Reframing Pain: God’s Perspective
[11:39] - From Pit to Platform
[13:54] - The Cross: Jesus, Aslan, and Redemption
[15:45] - Setbacks as Setups
[18:11] - From “Why Me?” to “What Now, Lord?”
[22:51] - Three Anchors in Suffering
[28:32] - Don’t Retaliate: The Example of Jesus
[32:04] - Trials Refine, Not Ruin
[36:23] - Suffering Together: Living Stones
[39:18] - The Power of Fellowship
[41:30] - Resurrection Hope: The Final Frame
[44:07] - Will You Let God Reframe Your Pain?
[49:13] - Prayer for Comfort and Reframing
[51:42] - Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 50:20 (ESV) — > As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) — > Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — > And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Observation Questions

In Joseph’s story, what did he say to his brothers about the reason he ended up in Egypt? (Genesis 50:20; [09:21])
According to 1 Peter 4:12-13, how should Christians view suffering and trials? ([06:42])
What are some of the specific setbacks Joseph faced before he became a leader in Egypt? ([15:45])
In Romans 8:28, what does Paul say about how God uses all things in the lives of those who love Him? ([16:54])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Joseph was able to see God’s hand at work in his suffering, even though others meant to harm him? ([09:21])
The sermon says suffering is not a “strange interruption” to the Christian life. How does this perspective change the way someone might respond to pain or disappointment? ([06:42])
The pastor mentioned that not all suffering is persecution or the enemy’s attack, but sometimes the result of our own choices. How can someone discern the difference? ([24:20])
The sermon talks about moving from “Why me?” to “What now, Lord?” Why is this shift important for spiritual growth? ([20:15])

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt “in the pit”—a place of pain, disappointment, or confusion. Looking back, can you see any ways God was at work, even if it wasn’t obvious at the time? ([11:39])
The sermon challenges us to move from asking “Why me?” to “What now, Lord?” Is there a situation in your life right now where you need to make this shift? What would it look like to ask God, “What now?” instead of staying stuck in self-pity? ([20:15])
The pastor said, “Setbacks are often setups in disguise.” Can you identify a setback in your life that God might be using to prepare you for something new? ([15:45])
Are there any areas where you might be causing your own suffering through your choices or actions? What steps could you take to be honest about this and make a change? ([24:20])
The sermon emphasized not retaliating when wronged, following Jesus’ example. Is there someone you need to forgive or a situation where you need to let go of the desire to get even? ([28:32])
The message highlighted the importance of community and not isolating ourselves during hard times. Are you currently walking through suffering alone? What would it look like to invite others in for support and encouragement? ([39:18])
The final hope is that God will one day wipe away every tear. How does this promise affect the way you face suffering today? ([41:30])

Sermon Clips

``Joseph didn't deny his pain, but he did reframe it. He saw that betrayal, slavery, false accusation and prison were not wasted. God was weaving them together into something bigger. That's what reframing does. It doesn't remove the pain. But it gives the pain a new perspective. [00:09:52] (30 seconds) #PainReframedByPurpose

Sometimes the very thing that looks like the end of the story is the beginning of God's greatest work. And God can do that with Joseph. And we see it mirrored in stories like Aslan's. And if he can do that with them. Then he can definitely do that with us. [00:15:27] (22 seconds) #EndingsAreNewBeginnings

God can take our worst mistakes, even the ones we regret most deeply, and use them as the very places he writes his mercy. What looks like a dead end can become a doorway. But here's the key: none of this happens unless we shift our question. We have to move from why me to what now, Lord. [00:18:11] (34 seconds) #FromWhyMeToWhatNow

Joseph could have spent his whole life asking, why me? Why was I born into this family? Why was I sold as a slave? Why was I accused unjustly? Why am I rotting in prison? Why, why, why? But instead, in each place, Joseph asks, what now? In Potiphar's house, he worked faithfully. In prison, he served others. Before Pharaoh, he spoke boldly. He didn't wait for the perfect conditions. He was faithful in the imperfect ones. [00:19:08] (42 seconds) #FaithfulInImperfectMoments

Why me keeps you chained to the past. What now, Lord, positions you for the future? Maybe your why me is a broken relationship, a long-term illness, or an unfair workplace. What would change if today you prayed, Lord, what now? What can you do through me here, even before you change my situation? [00:20:15] (38 seconds) #WhatNowFreesObedience

A single coal taken out of the fire quickly grows cold. But when it's placed back with the other coals, the heat of the fire spreads and it burns again. That's what fellowship does. Alone our flame flickers. Together our flame fire grows. [00:39:18] (27 seconds) #GodMeansItForGood

Our pits and trials are not the end of the story; resurrection is. Think again of Joseph. His brothers meant evil, but God meant it for good. That is a little glimpse of Revelation 21. That the worst things are never the last things. [00:41:55] (22 seconds) #PitIsNotPermanent

The stone table moments in our lives are not the conclusion. They are the prelude to resurrection. Joseph's hope was that God was with him, even in prison. Our hope is greater still. That Christ has defeated death itself. [00:42:48] (21 seconds) #HopeThroughEndurance

The pit is not permanent. The tears are not endless. The frame is not finished until Christ wipes away every tear. And it's because of this unshakable hope that we can face our present trials differently. We can refrain them. Not because they don't hurt. But because we know the ending. [00:43:26] (31 seconds) #LetGodReframePain

That's not just theology on a page, that's God saying to you your sufferings can produce endurance, your endurance can produce character, your character can produce hope if you let me hold and reframe your situation. [00:45:38] (23 seconds)

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