From hospital rooms to gravesides, from eviction notices to pink slips, pain is no stranger to any of us. We answer the friendly “How are you?” with an upbeat “Fine,” while privately carrying grief, fear, disappointment or exhaustion. If there is a God, where is He in all of this? Does He care? Why doesn’t He answer?
Over the centuries, philosophers, theologians and ordinary people have wrestled with the problem of pain. I believe there are meaningful answers to that question. Sometimes suffering comes from human choices that oppose God’s will. Sometimes hardship shapes us, deepens us, or prepares us to comfort others someday.
But I have found that in the middle of deep pain, people are often less interested in philosophical explanations than in knowing they are not alone. Like a child who scrapes her knee or a patient crying out in the emergency room, we are usually less interested in a lecture about exactly why we are in pain than in knowing someone is beside us.
If you are in pain today, whether physical, emotional, relational or financial, let me assure you that God cares. One of my favorite scriptures recently is Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” Christianity teaches not of a distant God untouched by suffering, but of One who draws near to the brokenhearted. He walks with his people through their pain. When we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, we can fear no evil, for He is with us.
What does this mean for you? Most importantly, God isn’t distant during this time. He is close to you. He also knows what you are going through. The Scriptures refer to Jesus as “a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering,” (Is. 53:3). He wants to walk along this journey with you. If you have been running from God, perhaps out of anger, disappointment, or pain, consider turning toward Him again. Pray honestly. Even if all you can say is, “God, I’m hurting.” And if you need others to walk beside you, do not suffer alone. Reach out to trusted friends, family or a local church community.
Dr. John Reside
Minister at First Christian Church
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Kewanee Voice.
***This column is sponsored by the Kewanee Ministerial Association
