Pain and suffering

I was led to speak on the subject of "God's grace for sufffering servants" at our church at Bishan - The Central Corps. Here are some thoughts on that subject.

The mystery of pain and suffering has baffled peoples’ minds all through the ages. Many books have been written, many sermons preached on this subject. The question is often asked, “If there is a God and He is our loving heavenly Father, as you claim Him to be, then how do you explain pain and suffering. If He does exist then He is either cold and indifferent, or powerless to act.” Really, pain, suffering and death seem inconsistent with a loving God.

I do not pretend in a short message to give all the answers, but some things relating to this subject can be explained. First, let us admit that pain does exist. It is not an illusion, as some people believe. Pain is real; we feel and suffer from pain.

Pain and suffering may be the result of our own or someone else’s sin. It is a law of nature that we reap what we sow. The Bible furnishes us with many examples to prove this point.

Let us look at our own situation today. If a person smokes, his lungs are likely to be affected. If he commits adultery he is likely to face psychological problems and his marriage might break up. If a man squanders his money on drinks or gambling and does not support his family, the family suffers. Pain and suffering are the consequence of man’s sin. We bring pain and suffering upon ourselves and those we love because we ignore the law of God. God’s law cannot be violated without serious consequences.

In John 9 verses 1-7 we read the incident of a man born blind. The disciples asked Jesus a question, “Who did sin, this man or his parents that this man was born blind.” It has always been man’s reaction to pain and suffering. Who and what is the cause? When something happens to cause us pain and suffering our immediate reaction is to ask the question Why? It is instinctive to think of punishment as the fruit of wrongdoing. Often we blame ourselves “What have I done to deserve this?”

It is not an adequate explanation to conclude that we suffer because we have sinned. When the tower of Siloam fell and killed sixteen people, Jesus quietly explained, “those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no!…” Luke13: 5
Volcano eruptions, floods, earthquakes, typhoons, fires, plane crashes kill sinners and saints alike.

Then why does God permit pain and suffering? A boy was born lacking the capacity to feel pain. Well, you say, that’s great! No pain! There was something wrong with his nervous system. The brain did not get the message from the part of his body that was hurt.

One day, his mother smelt the odour of burning flesh. She rushed into the kitchen only to find the fingers of her son badly burnt. He felt no pain, hence did not scream for help. He lacked the reflexes and sensitivity that are present in the normal person. One day he cut his foot resulting in much loss of blood but felt no pain and died a premature death.

The psalmist sang his song of praise, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14. We stand in awe and wonder as we ponder over creation and how God created this complex human being with the capacity to feel pain.

We need to think not just of physical pain, but emotional as well. Our capacity to feel pain enables us to relate to others in pain. The world has seen some notorious people who somehow could not relate to the suffering and pain of people. Think of Hitler, Mussolini, Pol Pot, Eichmann and others. Did they have that emotional pain for others? I often wonder how could they send so many to their deaths. Were they so hardened that they felt no pain?

Can you watch a film depicting some tragedy and suffering and not feel pain and sometimes even weep although it is mere acting? Watch out for the young man who boasts of his masculinity and remain unmoved and untouched by a tragic episode. Would he be able to relate to the needs of others in pain? We need not be ashamed of our God given emotions. The physical and emotional pain we feel enables us sympathise others.

There are lessons we can learn through pain and suffering. In this fallen world, God has allowed pain to exist for our own good. C.S Lewis refers to pain as “God’s megaphone.” To some of us we only turn to God because we suffer pain. It makes us more sensitive in this hurting world.

God in His own wisdom has allowed pain to exist, but He knows the limit we can take. He also has the resources to enable us to live through this world of pain and suffering. We can never fully fathom God’s way with us, especially when we are suffering pain, but we can trust his grace which is sufficient for every time of need.

The Apostle Paul had to accept the “thorn” in his body, which caused him pain. He prayed for this thorn to be removed, but God in his wisdom denied that request. Instead he was given the assurance, “My grace is sufficient for you.” God wanted Paul to remain sensitive to the pain and suffering of others.

He gives us the same promise today. We may not fully understand our present situation, which brings us pain, but we can trust our Heavenly Father and His eternal purpose.