An occupational hazard of being human is that we will experience pain and suffering. The Bible has a lot to say about the subject though I have rarely heard messages from the pulpit dealing with pain, suffering, fear, grief and loss. The word rapture for instance is not found in scripture but we hear about the Lord Jesus Christ’s return quite regularly. The word “suffering” appears (roughly depending on translation) 191 times and the word “pain” over 200 times. Not to be grim, God tells us to “fear not” 66 times and more than 100 times He says to “trust me”.
Jesus knew He would have pain and suffering in His life. He actually embraced it. I was never taught how to suffer well. I had to learn how to be in my pain and experience God’s presence in the midst of the pain because it is part of being human. A major step forward for me was to understand that I am an image bearer of my creator God. Francis Schaeffer said “Just as God has a mind and can think, so can we. Just as God has emotions and can feel them, so can we. Just as God has a will and can choose, so can we.” Mind, emotions and will–head, heart and hand. I have been strong on the head and the hand but lacking on the heart. The heart is the emotional side of who we are and where pain and suffering have the most impact.
The most common way I see people deal with pain and suffering is to choose to be distracted. This practice will rob us of our chance for growth opportunities. Ask yourself: through your suffering did you become a better listener or more empathetic? Or did you allow yourself to be distracted, possibly even isolated? Some distractions are obviously harmful. We all know the list: chemicals, alcohol, spending, busyness. But what about doing good works? Religion? These too can be used as a distraction. Regardless of what we use for distraction we make ourselves more vulnerable for attack from the enemy. The enemy tells us “God is mad at you. God is disappointed in you. God is not a promise keeper. If God loved you He would not allow this to happen to you.” Distraction increases our vulnerability, dependence and weakness. Whether you tend to use “bad” or “good” distractions, ask yourself, did any of these distractions make you stronger?
In God’s Word we read where King David says “it was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” Psalm 199:71. Notice David does not say he enjoyed the affliction or was happy to have the affliction but rather it was good for him to lean into God. In Psalm 46:1-2 we read “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.” And the apostle Paul writes “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Corinthians 4:17.
Part of living in a fallen world is pain and suffering and in God’s hands it can be part of learning and growing. We cannot go through life without experiencing some pain and suffering. The question is will you deny it…run from it…try to get through it…or choose to GROW through it.
I must acknowledge Dr. Gary Oliver for inspiring me to write down my thoughts after hearing his perspective on Helping People in a Broken World.
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