Pain and Suffering, Part 1 – Sovereignty and Submission
“The Eternal Father” by Paolo Veronese (c. 1558), Gallerie dell’Accademia, Venice, Source/Photographer https://www.artisangallery.es/cuadro-el-padre-eterno-164.html (PD)
“Our glory is hidden in our pain, if we allow God to bring the gift of Himself in our experience of it.”
–Henri Nouwen from “Turn My Mourning into Dancing”
Few of us welcome pain or suffering. They can drive us away from God…or toward Him. So it is worth considering them in some depth.
Scripture teaches us that our pain can be redemptive (Col. 1: 24); that it deepens our hearts (2 Cor. 1: 3-4); that it unites us with Christ (Rom. 8: 17; 2 Cor. 1: 5); that it is, in fact, a calling (1 Peter 2: 21); and that it ultimately transforms us (Jer. 9: 7; Zech. 13: 9; Mal. 3:3; James 1: 2-4).
God’s Sovereignty
Before we can examine any of these outcomes, we must first acknowledge that our pain and suffering are part of God’s plan. That fact can be difficult to swallow.
In his novel Sirens of Titan, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. set as one of the tenets of the Church of God the Utterly Indifferent:
“Luck is not the hand of God. It is the way the wind swirls and the dust settles eons after God has passed by.”
That thought may actually be a consolation to those who feel God is cruel to allow our suffering. But Christians know that God is love personified.
“What God permits, He permits for a reason. And that reason is His design. If God foresees molecular developments becoming cancer, He can stop it or not. If He does not, He has a purpose…So, when he [Satan] strikes Job with boils (Job 2: 7), Job attributes it ultimately to God (Job 2: 10) — and the inspired writer agrees: ‘They…comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him’ (Job 42: 11).”
–John Piper from “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/dont-waste-your-cancer
Our Powerlessness
“The human spirit will not even begin to try to surrender self-will as long as all seems to be well with it.”
–CS Lewis in “The Problem of Pain”
Acknowledging God’s sovereignty in the matter of pain and suffering requires admitting our own powerlessness, by comparison. This does not mean we do not have free will. How we respond to pain and suffering is crucial.
“For you will certainly carry out God’s purpose, however you act, but it makes a difference to you whether you serve like Judas or like John.”
–CS Lewis in “The Problem of Pain”
We can rant and rave. We can curse God. We have that option. Or we can recognize our pain and suffering as the opportunities they are to trust Him.
“The aim of God in our cancer is to knock the props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on Him.”
–John Piper from “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/dont-waste-your-cancer
“Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,” (2 Cor. 1: 9).
This series will continue next week with Part 2 – Redemptive Prayer
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse
https://avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
See The Gift of Pain by Paul Brand, originally titled The Gift Nobody Wants.😉
Thank you, CA.
What you shared here is so true, Anna. ⭐
But what is really strange… I also wrote a blog about deep suffering this week, even including the same Scripture from 2nd Corinthians you posted at the end of your article. Eventually, as my blog got way too long I divided it into two articles and published the other one instead.
It seems we have been on the same track, my friend.
Much Love to you, ❤
Susanne
God works in mysterious ways. 🙂
Much love,
A. ❤
Indeed! 🙂
So powerful and true. 🙏🏻 Pain is never easy, but when we trust God with it, He shapes it into something beautiful and redemptive.
Splendid introduction to a complex reality. Thanks Anna. I enjoy CS Lewis’s input especially.
I hope you enjoy the series, if one can be said to “enjoy” a discussion of pain and suffering. I, too, am a fan of CS Lewis. Many minds far greater than mine have considered the subject.
Like so many others, I too have been brought to the place of “though the Lord slay me…”
Pain and suffering are great teachers if we will permit them to be. While the flesh recoils at the thought, God uses them much like the blacksmith uses a hammer and anvil, forging and shaping our character for His greater purpose.
Amen.
So powerful and true
Once again you have collected worthwhile bits of wisdom for us, seamlessly connected with your own insights. I especially appreciated that C. S. Lewis quote about being used as a Judas or John. Now THERE’s something to consider carefully! I also want to remember your addition: “We can recognize our pain and suffering as the opportunities they are to trust Him.” Amen, Anna!
“Opportunities to trust him” — Wisdom, Anna. May the LORD open our eyes to see His sovereignty, providence, and love through our tears and pain, and so trust him.
You have shared an important message on pain.
Thank you