Finding Jesus When It Hurts: How Life Rises Out of Pain and Solitude

Holy Made
Sep 19
4 min read

Updated: Oct 9

Years ago, I sat in a quiet parking lot after a difficult conversation that ended a relationship I thought would last. No distractions, just the sound of silence and the ache in my chest. I didn’t have the perfect prayer to speak; all I could whisper was, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus?" There was no audible voice, but something shifted. The emptiness I felt in that moment was replaced by a quiet presence that held me. That small, quiet moment became an invitation where I found Jesus.

Finding Jesus in pain isn’t about finding a quick solution or a perfectly wrapped answer. It's about His real presence meeting us in our brokenness. Below, I’ll Walk you through what it means to find Jesus in pain, why it often happens in suffering, why it matters, and how you can apply it in your daily life.

What it Means to Find Jesus in Pain

Finding Jesus in pain means discovering His presence in the moments where we feel the most vulnerable. It’s not about pretending the hurt isn’t there but about realizing that we are never alone in it. When we are in pain, it often strips away all the distractions and noise around us.

We become more aware of who God is and who we are. The Bible shows this pattern consistently: people cry out, and God answers with nearness, wisdom, and direction.

For example, in Psalm 34:18, it says, "The LORD is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." This speaks to the deep, intimate way God shows up when we are hurting. It’s not about immediate relief, but about God's presence during our hardship.

Why Pain Opens the Door

Pain has a way of narrowing our focus. What seemed urgent yesterday often fades, and suddenly, what is truly important moves to the forefront. We stop trying to carry everything ourselves, and we begin to recognize that we need help. What once felt like a threat to our pride and dependency becomes the path to relief.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul talks about God as "the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." Pain creates space for us to receive comfort, and through that, we become conduits of comfort for others.

Why it Matters

Meeting Jesus in our pain changes us. It shapes how we see the world and how we respond to others.

It grows compassion. When we’ve sat in our own valleys, we become more compassionate toward others in theirs.
It sharpens priorities. We start focusing on what truly matters, our relationships with God, our loved ones, and our purpose.
It strengthens hope. Not a fleeting optimism, but a confident trust that pain does not have the final say.

This transformation happens when we let Jesus into our pain and trust Him to show us the way forward.

Pain and Solitude Are Not the Same as Isolation

There’s a difference between being in pain and being in isolation. Pain is a reality many of us face, but isolation is when we withdraw in fear, shame, or anger. Solitude, however, is a space we can choose. It’s a quiet, intentional place where we invite God to meet us in the discomfort. Jesus Himself retreated to solitude to pray and connect with the Father.

In Psalm 46:10, God says, "Be still, and know that I am God." Solitude allows us to be still enough to hear Him.

How to Handle Pain: Bringing Jesus In

When pain hits, we often feel tempted to rush the process, trying to fix it completely or just avoid it. But what if instead, we allowed space for Jesus to enter in?

Here are a few ways to begin:

Talk to Him honestly. No pretense or performance, just tell Him what’s really going on.
Invite Him into the pain. Ask Him to be near, to give you wisdom, and to help you take the next step.
Look for the healing. It may not come immediately, but it comes. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you."

A Personal Reflection

After that parking lot moment, I started a simple practice. Each morning, before I opened my laptop, I would invite Jesus into my day. “Thank You, Jesus! Today is going to be a good day.” It didn’t solve everything, but it kept me anchored. When challenges came, I already knew I wasn’t walking through them alone.

How to Apply This in Daily Life and Work

At home

Keep a "mercy list." Each night, write down one way you saw God’s help.
Schedule quiet time for yourself, enjoy a solo walk, a few minutes of prayer, or journaling.

At work

Start your meetings with a minute of stillness. Breathe and ask for wisdom.
When stress spikes, label it. “I feel anxious about this, but this feeling will pass” Then take one small step to move forward.

With others

Listen more than you speak. Sometimes, just being there for someone is all they need.
Pray simple prayers for those around you, especially when they’re struggling.

From Parking Lot to Promise

I started with a parking lot moment and a couple words. It didn’t fix everything immediately, but it changed everything in the long run. Finding Jesus in pain isn’t about avoiding suffering but learning to see Him right in the middle of it. In that space, life starts to move again.

Healing the Pain Professionally

Suffering can uncover deeper wounds that may need professional care. Past trauma, depression, or anxiety disorders deserve wise support. Seeking a counselor is not a lack of faith. It is a faithful response to reality and part of the healing process if needed.

If you’re carrying something heavy today, remember: Jesus is nearby. Let Him into your pain and allow Him to turn it into purpose. If something in this post resonated with you, share it with someone who may need it. If you have a practice that has steadied you in hard seasons, add it in the comments. Your story might be the hope that someone else needs.

You are Holy Made.