Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice. You can spend your life wallowing in your misery, or you can choose to use that pain for a higher purpose. Which option will you choose?

Too often, people lose their way and drift from their true purpose because they spend their lives avoiding trials or running away from suffering. Yet, the purpose of pain is not to destroy or crush you, but rather to reconnect you to your true identity. The more complex the challenges you face, the more you will discover about yourself.

We must view suffering through God’s eyes. Our experiences do not define us; it is our perception and interpretation of these events that shape who we become. The trials we face forge our character and deepen our relationship with God. As it is written in Romans 5:3-5:

“Not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.“

This passage also highlights the power of our testimony. Our personal experiences—as well as those of others—reveal the God of infinite possibilities. How could your friend ever know the God who restores if you have never experienced restoration yourself?

Don’t let your sorrow cloud the clarity that God wants to bring into your life. Even the most painful trials can, through the Lord, be turned into something good.

Suffering That Brings Strength

The philosopher Nietzsche once said, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” Suffering makes us more resilient and better prepared for future challenges.

In order to grow, we must accept a certain degree of pain. Likewise, our emotions must go through trials to become stronger. Ask yourself these questions to find meaning in your suffering:

• How can my experience of suffering give hope to someone who needs it?
• How has my pain affected the way I treat those who are hurting?
• What can I do or create to inspire others?
• Why am I willing to fight despite my suffering?
• What am I so passionate about that I can overcome my pain for it?
• What is the injustice or situation I would change if I had the power?
• Through my suffering, what message is God trying to communicate to me?

Remember: your suffering will persist until you grasp the underlying message.

Some people merely survive despite the pain, but overcoming your suffering will allow you to move forward and go further. Adversity often reveals hidden inner strength. As Ernest Hemingway so aptly put it: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills.”

Has Your Computer Ever Crashed?

Have you ever felt that sudden fear, that terrible feeling of thinking you lost all your data? If you’re like me, you probably remember a time when you had to submit an important essay or project. You were confident your hard work would earn the best grade. Then, without warning, your computer froze… and everything vanished.

How do we react in such situations? Some feel disappointed, others angry, while many are overwhelmed by fear and frustration, convinced that all their work has been for nothing.

Real Life Can Mirror This Scenario

When a computer is damaged or a hard drive fails, sometimes the data is beyond recovery. This can be due to physical damage, natural wear and tear, or unexpected events such as fires or floods. On top of that, digital risks like viruses and malware can infiltrate and wipe out all stored information. In such cases, retrieving your data becomes nearly impossible.

In an age where data is priceless, its loss can be catastrophic—for businesses and individuals alike. Imagine a company losing all its customer information, ongoing projects, and confidential files. This wouldn’t just cause delays; it could lead to financial and social ruin.

And what about individuals? The loss of important documents, personal or professional correspondence, or treasured memories such as photos, can be just as devastating. So how do we avoid such disaster?

The Solution: Backups

A simple yet effective solution is to back up your data. This involves creating a copy of your information on another medium, whether physical or digital, to ensure its protection. A well-done backup can make all the difference when the worst happens.

Data Backups and Life Backups

But what does this have to do with life? Just like digital data, the essential information stored in our subconscious deserves to be protected. These are the elements that shape our values, beliefs, and responses to life’s challenges. A personal “backup” becomes necessary to help us manage, preserve, and restore what matters most when life tests us.

When something goes wrong, we tend to question everything—sometimes even reformatting our entire lives. But having a backup—an emotional or spiritual anchor—can be vital for bouncing back.

We need a place where the “treasures” of our hearts are protected: for some, it’s their personality; for others, it’s their vision and dreams…

This text is an excerpt from the book  “HEAVEN’S SECRET” written by GUERRICK MAKENGO.
We invite you to read the next article: “TURNING CHALLENGES INTO OPPORTUNITIES.”