Where Is God in My Pain?

Finding the Presence of God When Life Hurts

Before we move into the rest of this series, we need to pause and acknowledge a question that almost every believer asks at some point in their journey: Where is God when I’m hurting? It’s a question whispered in hospital rooms, prayed through tears, and carried quietly in the heart when life feels heavier than expected. And it’s a question Scripture does not shy away from. In fact, the Bible gives voice to it again and again.

If you missed the first two posts in this series, you can read them here for context:

Series Introduction – Satan and Mental Health: Understanding the Battle for the Mind
Week 0, Post 1: A Biblical View of Mental Health: Why Your Struggles Matter to God
Week 0, Post 2: Why We Struggle: The Biblical Truth About Mental Health

A person sits at the edge of a lake with knees pulled close, gazing out over the water as the sunset reflects soft blues and purples. — It’s okay to pause.

God Is Near to the Brokenhearted

Pain often convinces us that God must be far away, but Scripture insists on the opposite.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
— Psalm 34:18 (NLT)

God does not wait for us to be strong before He draws near. He comes close precisely when we feel weak, overwhelmed, or undone. Your pain does not repel Him. It attracts His compassion.

A person sits in a parked car with hands resting on the steering wheel, sunlight streaming through the windshield as they reflect quietly. — You’re allowed to feel this.

God Walks With Us Through the Valley

Many of us imagine God waiting for us on the other side of our struggle, cheering us on from a distance. But Scripture paints a different picture.

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me.”
— Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

God does not meet us after the valley. He walks with us through it. His presence is not postponed until we feel better. It is offered in the very place where we feel most lost.

A person stands peacefully in gentle nighttime rain, face lifted toward the sky, surrounded by colorful blurred city lights. — Even storms can cleanse.

God Understands Pain Because He Entered It

Christianity is unique in that God does not remain distant from suffering. He steps into it.

“He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.”
— Isaiah 53:3 (NLT)

When you tell God, “This hurts,” He does not respond with theory. He responds with empathy. He knows what pain feels like from the inside. He has carried sorrow, exhaustion, betrayal, and grief. You are not speaking to a distant deity. You are speaking to a Savior who understands.

A man stands outdoors looking upward as sunlight breaks through dramatic clouds above him. — Lift your eyes.

God Is Working Even When We Cannot See It

Pain often feels pointless, but Scripture assures us that God is never inactive in our suffering.

“The Lord will work out His plans for my life—
for Your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.”
— Psalm 138:8 (NLT)

Even when you cannot see progress, God is at work. Even when you cannot feel His presence, He is near. Even when you cannot understand the purpose, He is shaping something meaningful in the midst of what feels overwhelming.

A person sits quietly on porch steps at dusk, arms folded and eyes closed, with warm light glowing from the house behind them.God is closer than you feel. — God is closer than you feel

God Holds Us When We Cannot Hold Ourselves Together

There are seasons when pain doesn’t just hurt—it unravels us. In those moments, God does not ask us to be strong. He offers Himself as our refuge.

“He will cover you with His feathers.
He will shelter you with His wings.”
— Psalm 91:4 (NLT)

This is not the picture of a God who demands perfection. It is the picture of a God who protects, comforts, and carries His children when they cannot carry themselves.

A person smiles gently while wiping away a tear, bathed in warm sunlight with greenery in the background. — Joy can rise again.

So Where Is God in Your Pain?

He is closer than you think. He is more compassionate than you imagine. He is more present than you feel. Your pain is not proof of His absence. It is the place where His presence becomes most tender and most real. As we move toward Week 1, we will begin exploring how God forms us, strengthens us, and renews us—not in spite of our struggles, but often through them.

Disclaimer

This series is not a substitute for professional mental health care. Mental health involves physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual dimensions, and seeking help from trained professionals is wise and often necessary. This content is meant to offer biblical perspective and encouragement, not clinical diagnosis or treatment.

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