So often as believers we think that we are exempt from pain and suffering; that once we profess Jesus is our Lord and Savior we are in the clear, right? Wrong. ( 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10).

You could say two months ago I experienced human suffrage more than I ever have in my short 24 years of life. The unexpected, life altering kind of pain experienced after a death or sudden shock. It left me full of uncontrollable emotions - essentially the worst possible thing that could happen to a control freak like myself. Although I was surrounded by support, I felt abandoned and helpless.

I spent two weeks in solitude with only my pain and Jesus. God did the most amazing thing with that pain (as only He can do) - in the midst of it all, He allowed me to see so much of His grace and love for me. The longer I wanted to stay angry, the more God revealed just how much I am forgiven. (Romans 7:24) How unworthy am I to be declared not guilty? How easy is it for me to declare those guilty of trespassing against me? A sweet friend sent me one of my now favorite verses: John 11:4. "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."  In the depths of my sadness this verse became the only thing that got me out of bed. How loved am I that God would use my pain to glorify His son Jesus? How unworthy am I of this honor.

I was given a new set of eyes. My suffering - your suffering - is one day going to glorify Jesus Christ. Don't read past that without praising God!  At the same time John 11:4 became my soundboard, Dean was ending his 1 Peter study. In hoping to catch up, I opened my bible and skimmed to the end of 1 Peter 5 and read verse 10: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." God HIMSELF is going to restore you. In you are in Christ, believe that with all your heart. Hallejuah, what a Savior.

Each day my pain lessens. My God is bigger than all of my anger and suffering. Believing I could never forgive the person who had hurt me was me telling God it was all just too much for Him to deliver me from. That is laughable. (Psalm 103:12)  By His grace we have been set free! Take heart, Believer if you are in pain. God has not forsaken you. The pain you are experiencing will one day will be used through YOU to glorify the name of Jesus Christ. How incredible is that?

This story has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Jesus. We can never stray so far that God will forsake us. We will never suffer in vain. We will never STOP needing Christ.

(Meghan is an alumni of Florida State University and loves serving on staff at City Church.  She is a native of California and a huge fan of coffee, Texas and Harry Potter.)