In The Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck reminds us that “life is difficult.” Yes, life is indeed difficult. Pain and suffering are permeating everywhere. However, we must not buy into a “psychologized” Christian thinking where healing from pain has to become our number one priority and need. I know this is a hard saying to many of you who are suffering at the present moment.
Is it wrong to get some relief or help for my pain and suffering? No, but when your pain becomes more important than being obedient to Christ, I think we need to rethink our beliefs.
No one is exempt from pain and suffering in the world. Human life entails much misery and woe until Christ returns. What would you do when pain comes looking for you? How would you cope or medicate your painful wounds? Our pain management has failed with painkillers, antidepressants, alcohol, pornography, food, and codependent relationships. Edward Welch’s article “Exalting Pain? Ignoring Pain?” points out that “everyone behaves compulsively because we try to stop the pain” (JBC: Vol. 12: Number 3).
Welch also points out Gallagher’s inconsistency in his articles, stating “In each of these men [who tried to medicate their pain using drugs, alcohol, pornography, etc.], the behavior was not the real problem. The behavior was only a symptom of the problem. All of them were hiding from pain. The things they did were medicating the hurt that came from some deep wound somewhere in their lives” (Vincent Gallagher, The Compulsions that Defeat Most Men, p.29, emphasis added). Welch asks, should we then revise our theology to say that pain causes sin? The answer is no. We can be faithful to Christ and endure our pain even amid deep suffering.
Nevertheless, sometimes the pain never stops. So, where is God when we are suffering?
He is right there with you. Surprisingly, God never promises temporal freedom from suffering. Welch writes, “As difficult as it may sound, the gospel doesn’t take away all present pain…The Bible doesn’t provide a technology that removes suffering but teaches us how to live in its midst. To teach anything different would be to compromise the gospel itself” (p.5).
For those who are suffering in pain, there is hope and healing. You are never alone. There are resources, and we will walk together on the path of wellness.
Every Tuesday Night Care (TNC) at Bridgeway has been outstanding! I have served with our church’s awesome “wounded healers.” TNC is a place of Gracism where we “lift the humble and broken among us by assisting and elevating them toward healing and hope.” It is a beautiful place where broken and hurting people would come for support and encouragement from one another.
But Tuesday Night Care is also a place for people in pain and suffering. You can see people surviving broken relationships, severe illness, cancer, neglect, and trauma from early abandonment. Others are recovering from addictions, struggling with depression, grieving the death of loved ones, or working to overcome many other painful circumstances.
If you want to learn more about Tuesday Night Care follow this link.
If you are looking for activities where you can meet others, check out our Events.
If you are looking for people to do life with, connect with our Groups.