When God Doesn’t Take the Pain Away

by Rick Warren — August 23, 2021
From 40 Days of Prayer

“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NLT)

I was born with a brain disorder that, among other things, makes public speaking painful. Essentially, my brain runs extremely hot and fast, and it causes all kinds of problems in my body. For 50 years, I’ve asked God every day to heal it. And he has said to me every time, “My grace is all you need.” God has used the most physically painful thing in my life to shape me and make me depend on him.

The things that I’ve prayed about the most, God has chosen not to remove. But, like Job, I say, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15 NIV).

Even the Apostle Paul did not get answers to all of his prayers. In fact, he had what he called a “thorn in the flesh”—a lifelong problem that caused great pain in his life.

Second Corinthians 12:8-10 says, “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong” (NLT).

If God never says “yes” to another prayer in my life, I still owe him the rest of my life, and you do too. He has a better plan, a bigger perspective, and a greater purpose.

What have you been praying about that hasn’t happened? Maybe you want to be married, have a baby, or get that promotion at work. Maybe you’ve asked God to give you something, or maybe you’ve asked him to take away something, like a chronic illness. Maybe you’ve gone through something that makes you feel like it’s the end of the story.

This chapter will pass, but your story is not over. Whatever you’ve been waiting on, you can trust that God is working for your good. Even when he doesn’t take away your pain, God will give you his grace and power to walk through it.

Talk It Over

  • What pain are you still waiting on God to take away? What have you learned about him and yourself while you’ve been waiting?
  • If you knew God would not answer your prayer in this life the way that you wanted, would you keep praying that prayer? Why or why not?
  • Why does God promise his grace instead of promising to take away your pain?

God wants you to join his family.

The Bible says all people fall short of God’s perfect standard. Yet God still loves you—even though you sin and you’re flawed. In fact, God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to cleanse you from your sins and to bring you into the family of God.

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can start with: “Dear God, I know that when I die I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from the sins and the habits that are messing up my life right now. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly and certainly and completely and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at [email protected]. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.