Finding Hope in Overwhelming Pain: A Guide for Christian Women

Life has a way of throwing us into the depths of despair, leaving us feeling as though the pain of life is too much to bear. As Christian women, we are often taught to rely on our faith and trust in God, but when the weight of our struggles feels unbearable, even the strongest faith can waver. If you’re finding it hard to hold onto hope and strength in the midst of life’s overwhelming challenges, you are not alone.

In this guide, we’ll explore both practical and faith-based ways to navigate life’s toughest moments. Whether facing loss, turmoil, or uncertainty, let’s embark on this journey together to find profound hope, comfort and strength through God’s promises.

The story I’m about to share with you is in no way a comparison to the painful situation you’re currently walking through. My goal is to give you hope amidst your hard season. 

As I share I’m going to answer some key questions for you and it’s my hope that they will help you as you deal with the pain of life that you’re currently facing!

How Christian Women Can Find Hope When Life’s Pain Feels Too Much To Bear

As I headed up the driveway to take my daily walk I remembered that I had rubbed a blister on the back of my ankle the previous day – it was right where the top of my tennis shoe hit my ankle. After taking just a few steps I could feel the pain. It was excruciating and I wanted to turn around. In fact, it was so painful that I wanted to skip my walk for the day.

I talked myself into pressing on and continued up the driveway and down the road. As I was walking I tried to think of other things but the pain from my ankle was at the forefront of my mind.

Half a mile down the road the pain continued to be excruciating and I just wanted to stop. But there was no point in stopping because I wasn’t home yet.

What would I do, sit in a neighbor’s yard until Trent drove by to pick me up at the end of his work day?

That was not acceptable so I pressed on. As I looked back at my ankle I noticed that it was bleeding now.

When I was almost home the pain subsided, and by the time I got back home I couldn’t feel anymore pain.

I had survived and I was super pumped to have finally reached my destination.

Is life painful for everyone?

I know it doesn’t feel like it when the pain is unbearable but whether it be divorce, death of a loved one, abuse or so many other terrible things, we all walk through pain in our life! I wish it weren’t the case but you’re not the only one who’s walked (or will walk) through a painful situation.

John 16:33 tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

As I was on that walk I was reminded of the pain that I’ve walked through in my life (divorce, death of my dad at an early age and more).

Like you, I wouldn’t go back through that pain again for anything but I’m so thankful that we can cling to the Lord during the hard times and lean on His strength and the peace that He gives us.

If it weren’t for Him I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now!

How do you deal with the pain of life when it hurts too much?

When the pain of life first hits it’s excruciating. And, to be quite frank, we don’t want to continue on. (Or at least that’s been the case for me.)

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says, “(There is) a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” 

I firmly believe that it’s okay to sit in your pain for a bit and take the time you need to mourn, process the situation, and heal! This is something that I’ve had to do myself.

Sitting in your pain will look different for everyone so take the time you need and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. While you’re there, talk with trusted friends and share what you’re feeling!

What do you do when emotional pain is unbearable?

I recommend that you move forward at your own pace.

Now I understand that the thought of moving forward may take your breath away, especially when it’s hard to even get out of bed in the morning.

But know that I’m not asking you to start “sprinting” your way through life. Maybe all you can do is get up or take one step. Good for you!

Keep getting up!

Keep taking one step each and every day!

Do the best you can do!

And you know what? Eventually the pain will lessen (I promise it will)!

You’ll know the pain is still there but eventually you won’t feel it as much!

Eventually you’ll be like I was when I finally made it back to the house after my walk. You’ll have survived walking down a painful road. Sure it wasn’t easy at times but you made it through, even having the scars to prove it!

All you need to do is keep pressing on one day at a time!

How do you stay strong when life gets hard?

Dwell in His shelter during your painful situation!

Psalm 91:1 says, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Dwell in His shelter dear friend. Sit and rest in His arms and let Him hold you up. And when you’ve both agreed that you’re ready to move on, take that first step knowing He’s right there beside you!

Cling to the promises of scripture!

Dive into the Word, friend. If you’re not sure where to start, I recommend the Psalms as they’ve been a huge comfort for me through the years.

Just start reading and I promise the Lord will show up and speak deep into your heart.

James 4:8a says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

When you find a verse that speaks deep into your heart read it over and over to yourself again. Write it on a piece of paper and carry it with you wherever you go so that it can be a comfort when the fear creeps in.

(See below for a list of verses that have been a huge comfort to me!)

Why should I keep going when life gets hard?

I know this won’t be the answer you want to hear my precious friend, but God is not done with you yet and that’s why I want to encourage you to keep going!

It sounds cliche but He’s still painting the masterpiece that is your life. Though you may not see it right now He wants you here for a specific purpose.

You might feel at the end of your rope but your story is not finished and there are more chapters to be written.

Another reason that you should keep going is because someone needs you!

They need to hear your story.

They need you to walk with them through the hard times that they’re going to face.

If you feel like you can’t go on and are thinking of ending your life I strongly encourage you to talk with a friend, counselor or call your church office. Additional resources are the Suicide Prevention Life Line and the National Depression Hotline. Friend, The enemy wants you to stay isolated and the simple act of sharing your feelings is a huge step in the right direction.

Quotes to encourage you when the pain of life is too much to bear.

• If it’s too heavy it belongs to God. Lay it down. – Taylor Madu

• Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls you.

• Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on, but you keep going anyway.

• Sometimes it’s just a tiny spark that whispers ever so softly, “keep going, you’ve got this.”

• When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

• If you saw the size of the blessing coming then you would understand the magnitude of the battle you are fighting.

• Strength is what you gain from the madness you survive.

• You’re allowed to scream. You’re allowed to cry. But do not give up.

• Hope is being able to see that there its a light despite all the darkness. – Desmond Tutu

• Despair is a choice and so is hope.

• It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light. – Aristotle 

• Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best.

• When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you are responding to what’s happening. That’s where the power is.

• Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith. – Elisabeth Elliot

• Rely on the Lord for only He can turn a mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph and what’s broken into something beautiful. – Zandra Vranes

Bible verses to cling to during life’s painful situations.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Joshua 1:5b

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 38:9

All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.

I Chronicles 16:11

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Isaiah 42:16

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.

Need more encouraging Bible verses? Check these out!

• 30 Psalms Bible verses (free printable reading plan)
• 35 Bible verses about strength in hard times
• 50+ Bible verses about trusting God when all confidence feels lost
• 50 uplifting Bible verses about hope in hard times

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