Finding Purpose Beyond Pain: Lessons from the Easter Story for Mental Health and Healing

Easter is a time of celebration, renewal, and reflection—a season that reminds us of the powerful story of Jesus’ resurrection, bringing hope to a world that so often feels weighed down by pain and despair.

Pastor Ken Murphy's Easter message at Cypress Church highlighted the incredible power of the resurrection and the profound question: Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5). This question, posed by angels to the women at the tomb, encourages us to look beyond the circumstances of death, loss, and suffering, and instead seek life, hope, and purpose.

For many of us, especially those struggling with mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma, it can often feel like we are searching for meaning in all the wrong places. We may try to find peace through external circumstances, relationships, or even by numbing the pain with unhealthy coping mechanisms. But true healing, the kind that brings lasting peace and joy, begins when we shift our focus and embrace a relationship with a greater purpose—something beyond our own understanding or ability to control.

In Pastor Ken’s sermon, he touched on the concept of searching—how we all go through periods in life where we feel lost or like something is missing. “We search for different things…we’re looking for a place of love, a place of acceptance, a place of significance,” he shared. And while many of us may find temporary relief in distractions or external sources, Pastor Ken reminded us that the real solution is found in Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus’ death and resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of love, acceptance, and purpose, showing us that even in our deepest pain, there is hope.

Searching for Meaning in Life

Pastor Ken shared a powerful truth: “We all face adversity. We will face pain in this life.” This resonates deeply with those of us who experience the emotional and mental toll of challenges. Life can feel overwhelming at times, and it can feel like we are wandering in the dark, not knowing where to turn next. Whether it’s grief, loss, trauma, or stress, we may feel like we’re stuck in an endless loop of pain, searching for something to fill the void.

In the Easter story, the women who came to the tomb early on that Sunday morning were not filled with hope but with despair. They were searching for a body, the body of someone they loved, someone who had been taken away too soon. But when they arrived and saw the stone rolled away and the tomb empty, they were confronted with the impossible—a reality they never expected. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here. He has risen.”

This message is not just a historical account but a profound reminder that we don’t have to live in our pain forever. The resurrection represents new life, the kind of life we can experience even in the darkest of times. It calls us to shift our perspective, to stop searching for meaning in the wrong places, and instead seek the life that God offers us.

Finding Healing and Purpose

As a mental health therapist, I see how deeply rooted our search for peace and purpose can be. Often, the pain we feel can stem from our search for significance and fulfillment, whether through external achievements, relationships, or even temporary distractions. The problem with these pursuits is that they don’t offer lasting healing—they only mask the deeper issues that need to be addressed.

In contrast, healing comes when we stop looking for fulfillment in dead things and instead embrace the living hope that Jesus offers. Just as the women in the Easter story had to make a decision about what they believed after encountering the empty tomb, so too must we choose how we respond to our pain and struggles. Do we continue to look for meaning in things that can’t provide it? Or do we choose to place our hope in the resurrection power that brings new life?

The question that Easter poses—Why do you look for the living among the dead?—is also a question we can apply to our mental health. Are we looking for peace and healing in places that only perpetuate our pain? Or are we choosing to step into the fullness of life, accepting the invitation to experience new hope and healing, even in our brokenness?

The Role of Community in Healing

Pastor Ken also spoke about the importance of community in our spiritual journey. He emphasized that those who are part of a church community experience a greater sense of purpose and connection, which can have a profound impact on our mental health. “If you want to cut your life expectancy almost in half, isolate yourself,” he shared, referring to studies that show the importance of community for our overall well-being.

This idea is just as true in the realm of mental health. As we seek healing, it’s important to recognize that we are not meant to go through life alone. Whether it’s through a faith community, therapy, or close relationships, finding people who walk alongside us in our journey of healing is essential. Just as the early disciples found strength and hope in each other, we too find strength when we open ourselves to community.

Moving Forward: Embracing the Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus offers a message of hope and renewal—not just in the afterlife but in our present lives as well. Pastor Ken encouraged us to take the next step in our spiritual journey, whether through faith, baptism, or simply embracing a new relationship with God. This same invitation exists for our mental health journey: to take the next step toward healing, whether that means seeking therapy, leaning into your faith, or allowing yourself to experience true peace.

As we reflect on the Easter message, let us remember that healing is available to us. We don’t have to remain trapped in the past or in our pain. Just as Jesus was resurrected from the dead, we too can experience resurrection in our hearts, minds, and souls.

This Easter, let us choose to embrace the resurrection power that brings true healing and lasting peace. Let’s step out of the tombs of our past and into the light of new life.

If you’re struggling with mental health challenges, remember: you don’t have to search for peace among the dead places of the past. Life, hope, and healing are waiting for you in the living presence of God. Call us at 614-647-HELP to begin your healing journey with Teal Saguaro Wellness today.