Struggling with Chronic Pain in Your Life
Chronic pain has become a part of my daily life. There were so many things that I could do when I was 40-years old, that are simply impossible. I suffer from Bilateral Neuropathy and some days I could just scream, “God why am I in such pain, why are you allowing me to suffer like this”? “Nearly 1 in 2 Americans (133 million)live with chronic conditions and illnesses, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes and lupus. Their symptom: like pain, fatigue, muscle aches and weakness, disturbances in vision, cognitive difficulty, intestinal distress and memory loss, aren't always visible to the naked eye.” (John Hopkins University Chronic Pain Unit). So today let's look at the Word of God in an attempt to understand more clearly how God can use chronic pain in our life.
In 1 Corinthians 11:30, Paul speaks of “sin” as speaking the reason that many people suffer from illness’. But there are other reasons besides sin that people suffer from pain and illness. As I look back I believe there was a point that God used chronic pain in my life to slow me down and remind me of my mortality. Others have shared with me that they believed that it was a way God sanctifies us. I remember a pastor preaching that God allows us to suffer sometimes so that His glory can be displayed in healing us. No matter how we answer the question, “Why does God allow us to suffer, He is there with us to comfort us during our times of pain and there are at least four things that take place. First, we become more intimate with God (Job 42:5) Job suffered, lost his family and everything he had and out of his suffering came intimacy with God.Second, chronic pain and suffering prepares us to minister to others when they are suffering. Our having the same or similar illness allows us to move past sympathy to empathy so that we can show genuine compassion for the individual’s pain. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)”Suffers want to be ministered to by people who have suffered” (Sovereignty, Suffering, and the Work of Missions, Stephen F. Saint). When we have suffered we can provide hope to those who are suffering. An example would be the blacksmith in a western movie, he takes the horseshoe and places it in the fire until it is glowing hot, he then takes his hammer and begins to pound on it until it is shaped to perfection and into the water it goes. God does the same thing to us, “ I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction." (Isaiah 48:10).
Third, chronic pain and suffering cause growth within us. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4) During our time of suffering and pain we can be confident and encouraged that Christ understands. I would challenge you if you suffer from chronic pain or maybe you know someone who does, help them, come alongside them and allow God to use you to show love and compassion to the hurting and afflicted.
