Finding Purpose in the Pain: How Genesis 50:20 Transformed My Journey

There are moments in life when a single verse of scripture resonates so deeply, it shifts your entire perspective. For me, that verse is Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” This verse didn’t just bring me comfort or encouragement—it gave me a sense of purpose when I was at one of my lowest points.

A few years ago, I was struggling with immense guilt and self-doubt. I constantly beat myself up for staying in an abusive situation until my son was 10 years old. At the same time, I was grappling with another pressing question: What is my purpose in life? I had survived, but surviving didn’t feel like enough. I needed to know that the pain I had endured wasn’t meaningless.

Then Genesis 50:20 hit me in a way that no other scripture had before. It wasn’t just a source of encouragement or peace—it felt like an answer. It addressed the guilt, the shame, and the uncertainty I carried. It spoke to me in a way that made everything make sense: My pain wasn’t wasted. It could be used for good.

From that moment, I began to see my life differently. I didn’t know exactly where this realization would take me, but I felt a sense of clarity and direction I hadn’t experienced before. Things started falling into place. I discovered a school where I could get certified as a Trauma Care Practitoner, which aligned perfectly with this new sense of purpose. As I neared the end of my certification program, one of the Pastors at my church asked if I would lead a support group for women who had experienced abuse. Without hesitation, I said yes.

That was just the beginning. Doors began to open that I never expected. For instance, I was invited to speak at my brother’s church to share my testimony and talk about my experience with abuse. Public speaking was never something I envisioned for myself, yet there I was, standing before a congregation, sharing my story. It was both humbling and empowering to see how my pain could inspire and encourage others.

Through all of this, Genesis 50:20 has remained a guiding light. It reminds me that even in the darkest chapters of life, God can bring about something good. The harm I endured wasn’t the end of my story. Instead, it became the foundation for something greater—a mission to help others find hope and healing.

If you’re reading this and struggling to make sense of your pain, I want you to know this: your experiences, as painful as they may be, do not define you—but they can shape your purpose. Healing takes time, and clarity may not come overnight, but trust that your story is not over. Just like Joseph in Genesis 50:20, what was meant to harm you can be transformed into something that brings life and hope to others.

Take heart in knowing that your pain has meaning, and you are not alone on this journey. You have the strength to turn your trials into triumphs and to find purpose even in the hardest moments. Let Genesis 50:20 be a reminder that God’s plan for your life is bigger than any harm you’ve endured.