Romans 8:18-23 Worldwide English (New Testament)
18 I think that the troubles we have in this life are nothing when we think of the great things that we shall have.
19 The whole world is waiting for the time when the sons of God will be seen.
20 The world was spoiled. It did not want to be spoiled, but God allowed it.
21 And it hoped to be free like God’s children when they are made great.
22 We know that the whole world has been crying. It has had much pain until now.
23 And not the world only, but we ourselves also cry out. We have the first blessing God gives of his Spirit. But we cry out in our hearts. We are waiting for God to finish making us his sons. Then our bodies will be set free.

Life is full of pain. The loss of a loved one, job or business loss, disappointments, breakdown of a relationship, and many other causes of pain. Unfortunately, pain is an expectation in life.
The bible mentions physical pain as experienced in Genesis 34:25, Job 5:18, and 14:22.
Emotional pain, sorrow, or trauma is indicated in Psalm 69:29; Proverbs 14:13 and Ezekiel 13:22.
Mental anguish or pain is referred to in 2 Chronicles 6:29, Psalms 32:10 and 38:17.
Romans 8:22 refers to the suffering of the world under the curse of sin, likening it to the pain of a woman in labour, but on delivery of the baby, the pain is forgotten for the joy of a new life.
When life gets to that point where it seems overwhelming with negative stuff, it would mean you’re at the cusp of pain. When you no longer feel joy, peace or any sense of worth, it means you’re battling the sense of meaninglessness.
All of humanity has a curiosity strike, which is a state of active interest or genuinely wanting to know more about something or someone which creates an openness to unfamiliar experiences, pain included because we never know how a new adventure will pan out.
We hate to suffer, but the fact is, pain is a part of life. If you are alive, you’ll certainly feel pain and it changes people for good or bad. Pain is not meant to make us weak though, it’s to make us stronger and mature according to James 1:2-4. When Christians go through pain in life it helps to get us back on the path of righteousness.
It’s supposed to help us lose all self-reliance and turn to the only one who can help us, God.
The glory to come will far outweigh the sufferings we must bear now. Humanity is moving on through the mystery of pain to full redemption, our hope is sure that we can wait in patience.
Paul made great use and sense of his pain, he suffered greatly during his lifetime—shipwrecks, beatings that almost killed him, abandonment, imprisonment, and eventually, execution in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28. Scripture teaches that everyone will face various forms of suffering in life according to John 16:33.
How can you withstand suffering? Our attitude to pain should be “pain? what pain,” another way is to ask God to help you have Paul’s attitude of confidence that earthly sufferings cannot come close to comparing to the glory you will one day see.
You cannot control most of the major influences on your life, but you have absolute control over what they mean to you and how you handle and deal with them. If you control the meaning of events in your life with, through and in the word of God, you are certain to come out better because there is a lesson in every pain than if you allow the pain to define you, see Lamentation 3:31-33.
The choices we make through denial and fear are always unhealthy, toxic, and detrimental to our well-being, barring us from flourishing.
They say, “what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger,” sure, only in Christ do you get the strength to handle and make meaning of deep pain that may otherwise destroy you.
Make meaning of your pain, it will help define you!
Shalom