The Problem of Pain

The problem of pain is closely related to the problem of evil. Just as arguments are made against God due to evil in the world, similarly, arguments are made against Him because of the problem of pain. Namely, if God is all-good and all-powerful, how can He allow pain in the world?

Pain is to be expected in our life, as we see in 1 Peter 4:12-13:

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”

Pain, just like evil was brought into the world as a result of the fall of man. It does not, however only fall upon the evil and wicked. We see that good people experience suffering, too. Consider Job, who lost all that he held dear. He was reduced to utter misery, but he did not reject God, and after his ordeal, God multiplied Job’s blessings.

We must realize that all transgressions will be atoned for, either by those who committed them, or through the redemptive suffering of others. Christ was innocent, but through His suffering and death, He redeemed us. There are also many who, having lived holy lives, also experienced great suffering and hardship, and through their courageous endurance of this pain, stored up graces to be showered upon us. If Christ and the saint have suffered such pain, why should we think that we are above it?

Whenever someone tells us that God does not understand their suffering, they are mistaken. The most crucial part of God’s plan for our salvation was the sacrifice of His Son through brutal torture and death so that we may overcome our sinfulness and accept His love. Jesus endured the most brutal torments during His scourging, crowning with thorns, carrying the cross, and finally His crucifixion. All manner of physical and emotional pain fell upon Him. He was mocked, ridiculed, beaten and nailed to a tree for us. God knows the pain we endure. He is there with us when we suffer.

If we love Jesus, then we must be prepared to suffer for Him. To refuse our daily cross is to refuse Christ. When we encounter suffering on our journey, when a loved one falls ill, when a friend dies, when we have any manner of pain in our lives, we must turn to Jesus. Indeed, our most bitter agony can serve to glorify God. We must turn from despair and run to Jesus. Let us offer our sorrows to Christ, who will make things right in our lives.

Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (2:20). We suffer readily for those we love. Jesus can bring about a great abundance of grace through our pain.

Our faith is tested in fire through our pain. Just like anything in life, if we want to improve it, we must sacrifice. If we want to be physically strong, we exercise. If we want to be knowledgeable, we study. Similarly, if we want to be holy, we must be tested in our faith. Let us turn to God in our troubled times and rest in His loving arms.