Pain and Suffering: Are They Really Necessary?
As a Christian, the topic of pain and suffering is one that people tend to avoid. Maybe not all people, but most of us would rather just not think or talk about it. The problem is, we all do think about it and we all want the answer.
“Is all this pain and suffering really necessary? Can’t God just protect us, and keep us from having to experience it?”
Honestly, this is something many of us get wrong as well. Have you ever lost a loved one, or been going through something really difficult and had a church lady say something like “Well, at least they’re in a better place” or “God will never give you more than you can handle.” These kinds of platitudes are not helpful, and the second one in particular is flat out wrong. If you could handle it, you wouldn’t need God. Seems contradictory to the Christian faith, doesn’t it?
Your loved one’s pain and suffering may be over, but yours is just beginning. Hearing that they’re in a better place while you’re still here, and now without them is of little to no comfort. Especially if you’re questioning if it was all really necessary or fair.
I’m not a theologian by any means, but I do think the bible has a lot to say about pain and suffering when it comes to the Christian life. Genesis shows us the reason pain and suffering even exist. Job shows us how pain and suffering can refine our faith. In Revelation, we’re given an eternal perspective that reminds us that our lives here on earth are as bad as it gets for those who know God.
Let’s first explore what the bible says about pain and suffering, and then we’ll get practical.
1. The Fall and Original Sin
Genesis and the Fall: Pain and suffering are often attributed to the Fall of Man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). Adam and Eve's disobedience introduced sin into the world, leading to a state of brokenness and suffering as part of the human condition. Humanity inherits a sinful nature from Adam and Eve, which results in a world marred by suffering and pain.
2. Suffering as a Test and Refinement
Testing Faith: The Book of Job exemplifies how suffering can test and strengthen faith. Job's endurance through extreme suffering demonstrates unwavering faith in God's sovereignty and goodness.
Refinement: In the New Testament, suffering is seen as a means of spiritual growth and refinement. 1 Peter 1:6-7 compares faith tested by suffering to gold refined by fire.
3. Participation in Christ's Suffering
Union with Christ: Christians believe they share in the sufferings of Christ. Romans 8:17 speaks of suffering with Christ as part of being glorified with Him.
Redemptive Suffering: Colossians 1:24 suggests that believers can participate in Christ's redemptive work through their own sufferings.
4. Suffering and God's Purposes
Purposeful Suffering: Many Christians believe that God can use suffering for a greater good, often beyond human understanding. Romans 8:28 states that God works all things for the good of those who love Him.
Mystery of Suffering: Some aspects of suffering are considered a mystery, trusting in God's wisdom and ultimate plan, as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9.
5. Comfort and Hope in Suffering
Divine Comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 speaks of God as the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort," who comforts us in all our troubles.
Eternal Perspective: Revelation 21:4 provides hope for a future without suffering, where "God will wipe away every tear."
The key things to take away from all of this;
Because sin entered the world, pain and suffering are part of the deal.
As much as we hate it, humans have a sinful nature, and it’s a part of the human experience we have to accept. Expecting to go through life without it is totally unrealistic, and it will set you up for destruction. Instead, set appropriate expectations, so that when life comes at you (and it will, the bible promises that), you can take a breath, and say “okay Lord, here we go. I am dependant on you to get through this, and I know that you are faithful to those who love you. I know it won’t be easy, but as long as you’re with me, I will get through this.” -This may not be your first thought, and that’s okay (in fact, it’s totally normal). God can handle your anguish, and you need to allow yourself to process through all of the emotions. The point is that you’re able to get here after the initial shock, anger, and grief.
God is with us, comforting us in our pain and suffering. He holds space for you.
God does not disappear when difficult life circumstances arise. It may feel like it at first, because your brain is actually focused on protecting you, and keeping you alive, especially in times of trauma, but he’s still there. He also doesn’t make them all go away like some mystical genie. He simply sits with us in the midst of it. Comforting us, weeping with us, and reminding us that we are not alone in life. That is SO much better than the church lady platitudes, right? Let’s be more like Jesus in this way when it comes to comforting those in pain. Simply, be there.
We are refined and matured by trials.
James 1:2-4 says “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
There is something that pain and suffering does to the human heart and mind, and what happens next all depends on your perspective. We all have a choice when it comes to our response in life. We can choose to be taken out and devastated, OR, we can choose to allow our pain to lead to our good and God’s glory. We may never understand why something awful happens to us, but we can allow God to use our circumstances to transform us, and point others to him. We see this play out in tragedies all the time. There are those who never recover and struggle to cope, leading to their own destruction, and then there are those who choose beauty from ashes. Like, the parents that start foundations in memory of their lost child, with the mission of curing a disease or changing laws so that no other parents have to experience the same terrible loss. They are propelled into purposeful action that changes other’s lives, and ultimately, leads to their own emotional healing.
For those who believe in God and eternal life with him, this is as bad as it gets.
I do not say that to minimize your pain, but to remind you of the hope of heaven. For Christians, this earthly life is as close to hell as we’ll ever get. I get it, sometimes it feels like literal hell, but if this is only a glimpse, I never want to see the real thing.
Practical Responses to Suffering
Compassion and Service: Christians are called to respond to the suffering of others with compassion and service, following Jesus' example. Matthew 25:35-40 emphasizes caring for the needy as serving Christ Himself. Our job on this earth is to love others the way that Christ first loved us. For someone to tangibly experience Christs love, and be introduced to a life with him. That is the essence of the great commission as a disciple of Christ.
Prayer and Support: The community of believers is encouraged to support one another in times of suffering through prayer and practical help (Galatians 6:2). To carry one another’s burdens as we are able. To lift up and encourage one another to keep growing and maturing in our faith. This is why having a church family is so important. We don’t go to church just to get our weekly dose of Jesus and a pep talk. We go to be encouraged in our faith, strengthened and lifted up by other disciples, SO THAT we can get back out there in this world and continue the work God gave us to do.
So, are pain and suffering necessary?
I think this is actually the wrong question. The fact is, we experience it, and will continue to until Jesus comes back. I think the real question is, “How do we live with it, and still say that God is good?”. There is always tension like this in the Christian life, and I’ve heard so many people who are struggling ask the question “How could a good God allow this to happen?”. Honestly, I don’t think there’s a simple answer for that. The truth is, God knows infinitely more than I could ever imagine. He created everything, and knows everything, and there’s no possible way for us to understand it all.
I don’t think we’re supposed to. There is a part of the Christian life that is just a mystery, and that’s why we need a firm faith. To believe in the things we cannot see or even fully comprehend.
It’s in times of pain and suffering that we have to remember who God is. That he is always faithful, and never leaves his people. I recently saw an instagram post from a pastor that said “the main theme of the bible is, God never leaves them”. It’s really that simple.
In this life, you will experience pain and suffering, but he will never leave you. He is there comforting and guiding you every step of the way. Your job is to fall in to his arms, process through it, and then decide how you will respond.
If you need help moving forward after a season of pain and suffering, I’m here for you! Book a free discovery call to chat about coaching.