One of the most common questions asked of Christians is simply, “Why pain?” If God is good, then why is there suffering in the world? Why is there pain? Why does evil exist at all? These questions have been posed, and debated, through the centuries. It is such a big deal that philosophers and scholars have a specific term for it: Theodicy.
This question of “Why pain?”, of course, is not an easy question to answer. After all, as I mentioned, smart people have been debating the question for centuries. In fact, recently I listened to a podcast interviewing an expert on the topic. He was a PhD and author of several books. Obviously, a smart guy. After more than an hour of different views, in the end, it seemed that his conclusions boiled down to, “I don’t really know why.”
Within the scripture, the most famous person to ask questions about pain and suffering is certainly Job. Having lost everything, experiencing the worst of both emotional and physical pain, he wonders why? Frankly, the answer that God gives him is probably not what Job was expecting:
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. God says:
“Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?…” (Job 38:1-4).
What follows is some of the most beautiful language in the Bible. Verse after verse that beautifully describe the majesty of God and His creative work in the world and universe. And more than just His creative work, but also His ongoing work to maintain the world and universe are described as well. (see Job 38 – 41). One just can’t read these chapters without getting a sense of awe at who God is. Read them and see. However, what we don’t find is an answer to Job’s question.
Instead of answering Job’s question, God reminds Job of who He is. He is God of the universe, creator of all things. Ultimately, He wants Job, and us, to understand that He is in control. If there is a message in Job for me, and I think for all of us, it is that trusting is more important than knowing. The “knowing” that is really important is to know God and to trust Him. We may not always know why, we may not always have the answers, but we can always trust God.
Still, I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t ask questions of God. It may be that the struggle for answers, the wrestling with tough issues, the searching and seeking itself, draws us closer to God. When all is said and done, even without being given an answer, Job says, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5). Job’s understanding of God increased. He drew nearer to God through the process. That’s a really good thing. We seek. We ask. But all under the umbrella of trust in God.
I do think there are some good reasons the scripture gives us for why there is pain and suffering in our world. Or, at least, what is gained through pain, suffering, and difficulty. But for now, I want to point out one really important thing about pain that we can trust God for: IT WILL END. John writes, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’” (Rev 21:3-4).
This, my friends, is good news for the sufferer. I can’t pretend to know what you, individually, are facing. Or what you have faced. Or what you may face in the future. What I know is, that whatever we face, there is a time coming that “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” We just need to hold on. And, as we have the opportunity, to encourage others and to walk with them through whatever it is that they are facing.
This is what Paul taught when encouraging people who were distressed by seeing those who were dying. Loved ones “who have fallen asleep” as Paul called them. He said, “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him” (1 The 4:13-14). Yes, indeed, what a hope we have.
And Paul is not alone in this. Peter tells us that our hope is “living” and “can never perish, spoil, or fade” when he writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Pet 1:3-6).
Despite the pain, and difficulty of this world, yes, even in the face of it, we have a very great hope. A hope for eternal life where “There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain.” When we don’t have the answers, there is still hope. We can trust in God. Paul writes, “…we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 The 4:17-18).
Be encouraged. We have a hope that is far greater than the problem of pain.
Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.
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Well stated! Since God, who is all-good Spirit, did not create pain, it has no real, permanent existence. It is not a physical reality but a mental belief, a misconception of spiritual wholeness, and can be overcome through prayer and spiritual understanding, recognizing flesh has no power and only divine Mind governs, thus viewing pain as a thought to be corrected, not a material condition to be endured.
Your friend – His servant,
Isaac Otieno