Book excerpt: Pain serves a purpose. When going through the pains of life, it can easily blindside us, which leaves an open window for the enemy to depress us, oppress us, and if it goes on too long, he can even overtake us. Not knowing that our pain serves a purpose can make us bound and stuck mentally and spiritually, and it can all affect our physical life as well. Although the enemy has a plan to kill, steal, and destroy, God also has a plan; and his plan is purpose driven not only for us but for the kingdom of God and to help somebody else who may be dealing with the same things he has brought us through. The purpose of God is the will and the plans of God that he has for us, and he works all things, including the things we face in life, according to his purposes. Having faith in him and his plans, even when the pain is overwhelming, is one of the keys to living the abundant life that he has for us. Your pain serves a purpose, even when you don't understand it. And because he is an intentional God and all-knowing, it is the reason we are Pained on Purpose. He is with us when we are going through these pains, helping us and pulling us through so that we can testify of his goodness that he may be glorified, and somebody else can be made free and whole by his Spirit. Pain doesn't have to be the end of your story, but it can be the beginning of what God intended to be a perfect end.