TURNING YOUR PAIN INTO PURPOSE - Pt. 1

I gained admission to study Medicine, dreaming to become a medical doctor. But I did not finish as a doctor. This is a part of my life I have never shared publicly, though my old friends on campus know the story. When I publish my memoir, I will share full details.

When we were moving from 100 level to 200 level, I passed all my courses except Physics 101 in first semester. That was the simplest of the two physics courses.

I complained about the result because only my exam score was recorded. My continuous assessment (CA) score was not added. If they had added it, I would have passed. I went to the HOD, who was on sabbatical in our school at that time. He promised to correct the mistake and told me not to worry. But I saw no change.

During the long vacation, those who failed one or two courses came back for summer school to rewrite their courses. I also came, planning to rewrite the physics course. When the HOD saw me, he told me to go home and not bother. He promised again that he would fix it.

I left school trusting his words. But when I returned to resume 200 level and checked the notice board for those moving to the next level, I saw I had passed all courses except that physics. And at the end of my result, I saw "WTD."

I didn't know what it meant, so I asked a brother beside me. He said "WTD" means "Withdrawn." I felt like thunder struck me. I quickly ran to the Physics department to tell the HOD. But he had already left our school and returned to his main university. His sabbatical was over.

I reported to the new HOD of Physics, but she refused to help. She said only the former HOD could help me. I called the former HOD, but he avoided me. My parents even promised to pay for his flight from wherever he was to come and fix it, but he refused. I was broken.

For about six weeks, I was a student without a department. I had already bought Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry textbooks. I was attending 200 level classes, hoping that something would happen through all the complaints I lodged. All I wanted was for them to add my CA to my exam score. That was all I needed to move forward.

There was a little hope when I met the HOD of Basic Medical Sciences. He travelled and I was hoping he would help me when he returned. Sadly, he had an accident and died on his way back. That was the end. I broke down completely. All through that period, I felt abandoned by God.

I can share this story today because I have healed and moved on.

I thank God for the brethren and for the comfort of the Holy Spirit. That season, I prayed and cried within, yet I kept serving God faithfully. I thank God I did not deny the faith. I heard God speak to me about the next step, and my life was repositioned for what I am doing today.

Indeed, my pain became fuel for kingdom service. I began to understand God in a deeper, unconventional way. Today, I am still standing, fulfilling His will for my life. Hallelujah!

Paul says, _"For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!"_ (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)

Everyone has pain. No one is free from pain in this world. Some pains are physical, some are emotional. Some pains are a result if unfulfilled expectations, delays and disappointments. In ministry, there are pains from betrayal, disappointment and disloyalty. No one is spared.

This is where many misunderstand faith. Faith does not stop challenges from coming. Men of great faith were not spared of life's challenges.  Faith only guarantees your victory.

In John 16:33, Jesus says, _"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."_ (NLT)

God saw that pain before it came to you. He may not be the author of evil, but in His all-knowing power, He knew about it. Why He did not stop it may be beyond our understanding, but I know one thing: every pain can be turned into purpose that will bring glory to God.

Many believers pray, "God, take away this pain." But God does not always take it away. Sometimes He transforms the pain into something that will bring Him glory. He does not waste pain. You may not agree with this, and that is okay. I came to this conclusion after studying the scriptures and from my own experience.

*God never allows pain without attaching a purpose to it. When you understand this, you will stop asking, "Why me?" and start asking, "What for?"*