Pain and Suffering

When a person receives Jesus Christ, does that put an end to suffering in this life?

If a believer experiences grief, does that mean they lack faith?

Unfortunately, some, within the church, would say yes.

Let’s look at what the Bible has to say.

 

“The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?” - Prov. 18:14 (NLT)

 

“Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains.” - Prov. 14:13 (NLT)

 

“Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.” - Prov. 25:20 (NKJV)

 

“Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. My sight is blurred because of my tears. My body and soul are withering away. I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Misery has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within. I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors – even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they turn the other way. I have been ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.” - Ps. 31:9-12 (NLT)

 

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to You for help. My heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for You are my refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in Your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of Your wings! Interlude~ - Ps. 61:1-4 (NLT)

 

“Jesus wept.” - John 11:35 (NKJV)

 

“And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”  (Jesus in the garden before His crucifixion) - Luke 22:44 (NKJV)

 

“Yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” - 2 Tim. 3:12 (NKJV)

 

Pain and suffering are a part of our fallen state in this world. The question one should ask, rather than do Christians suffer, is, what should Christians (or anyone) do when pain and suffering come?

 

“Whom have I in heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on earth. My heart may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.” - Ps. 73:25-26 (NLT)

 

“But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.” - Ps. 73:28 (NLT)

 

There are so many passages that deal with pain and comfort, I could go on and on, but that would be a very long post. Suffice it to say, there is much to say about suffering but also the hope that comes through Christ Jesus. Emotions are not always good but we must remember that God gave us emotions, good and bad, and there are reasons. How we choose to deal with them is what we need to master.

Do we let grief wear us down? Do we seek to be on an emotional high at all times? Neither are good for us. We need to allow grief to have its place and move on. Likewise, joy and happiness have their place, but we will not always be in a state of bliss.

Wherever we are, we can look to God and trust Him. Even in the darkest grief, God is still good, and we can find His peace and even joy.    

 

“Thus saith the Lord, the King of Israel, and His Redeemer, the Lord of Hosts, I Am the First and I Am the Last; and beside Me there is no God.” - Isa. 44:6 (NKJV)

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