By Dr. Floyd Godfrey
Every believer will eventually face moments of wounding; those seasons of hardship, disappointment, or trauma that leave lasting marks. But in God’s kingdom, wounds are not the end of the story. They are often the beginning of purpose. The pain we walk through can become the very platform God uses to build strength, cultivate wisdom, and glorify His name.
Pastor Jentezen Franklin reminds us, “We’ve all been wounded.” Wounding is not reserved for the weak or the sinful. It is a shared human experience, even among the faithful. But how we respond to our wounds determines whether they become stumbling blocks or stepping stones.
The Place God Has You Is Not an Accident
One of the most important spiritual attitudes we can develop is a willingness to accept where God has placed us, even when that place includes pain. As Franklin said, “If you don’t appreciate the place God has you, he will use someone else. Be happy to do what God has called you to do. And do it quickly.”
Too often, we resist the season we’re in when it’s hard. We want to escape, fast-forward, or rewrite it altogether. But the calling of God is often wrapped inside a season of difficulty. If we delay our obedience or become bitter, we may miss the opportunity to be used powerfully. When we embrace the place and pain God has allowed, we open ourselves to the anointing He wants to release through us.
Trauma Is a Reference Point
Pain changes us. It shifts our priorities, deepens our compassion, and awakens our dependence on God. “The trauma becomes a reference point to how far you’ve come,” Franklin shares. In other words, your wounds can become a way to measure the grace and healing of God in your life.
When you look back at what you’ve been through, it’s not just a memory of suffering. It becomes a testimony of survival and growth. Just like the Israelites built altars to remember what God had done, your trauma can become a marker of God’s faithfulness.
Deep Hurt Leads to Deep Use
There is a profound connection between how deeply we’ve been hurt and how deeply God can use us. “If God has allowed you to be hurt deeply, he will use you deeply to accomplish his purposes,” says Franklin. While we would never wish for pain, the truth is that some of the most impactful people in ministry and life are those who have been through intense suffering.
This is because pain refines us. It strips away pride and self-sufficiency. It forces us to lean on the Lord in ways we never would otherwise. And it gives us a reservoir of empathy that can’t be faked.
You Don’t Receive Wisdom from an Easy Life
We often pray for wisdom, but rarely do we consider the cost. According to Franklin, “You don’t receive wisdom from an easy life.” True wisdom is forged in the fire of life’s challenges. It’s gained when prayers are prayed in desperation, when answers don’t come quickly, and when we are forced to trust God without seeing the full picture.
Parents who have walked through parenting a prodigal child gain wisdom in areas a book could never teach. Pastors who have weathered church division or personal loss understand their congregation in deeper ways. Wisdom is often the reward for perseverance.
Anointed Through the Trials
After the struggle comes the anointing. “Now that I’ve been through something, I’ve been anointed,” says Franklin. The anointing isn’t about perfection or status, but about readiness. When we’ve walked through fire and come out still trusting God, we carry a spiritual authority that can’t be manufactured.
We become more than survivors. We become vessels. The wounds we thought disqualified us become the very reason others listen when we speak. There is credibility in having suffered and remained faithful. There is power in being able to say, “I’ve been through it, and God has been faithful.”
For Those Who Are Still Hurting
If you are still in the middle of your struggle, know this: God is not finished. “God is going to use what you’ve been through for his glory and honor.” He is shaping something in you that will serve a greater purpose. The enemy wants your pain to silence you, but God wants to use it to send you.
Hold on. Don’t despise the place you’re in. Healing will come, and when it does, you’ll carry something sacred. Not just stories, but strength. Not just survival, but wisdom.
God is not wasting your pain. He is preparing your purpose.
Floyd Godfrey PhD is a Board Certified Christian Counselor and has facilitated groups within different churches and denominations over the past 30 years. He worked as a licensed clinician for 23 years and provided supervision and training for other counselors as they worked toward independent licensure. You can read more about Floyd Godfrey PhD at www.FloydGodfrey.com.
Reference
Franklin, J. (2025, September). God Uses Our Wounds. Plenary Forum. Nashville; Tennessee.
