Pain is a near-universal human experience. At some point in life, we all encounter physical, emotional, or psychological pain. The Bible has much to say about how to understand and respond to pain from a Christian perspective. Here is an overview of the Bible’s teaching on pain:
God allows pain for His purposes
Although God is good and loving, He allows pain to exist in this fallen world. Pain serves several purposes according to the Bible:
- Pain can be a consequence of sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, pain entered the world (Genesis 3:16-19). Our wrong moral choices often lead to pain.
- Pain can discipline us. Hebrews 12:7-11 teaches that God disciplines us like a father disciplines his children, and that discipline produces righteousness and holiness. The pain of discipline leads us to repentance.
- Pain can refine us. 1 Peter 1:6-7 explains that trials refine our faith like fire refines gold. Pain purifies us by revealing areas that need growth.
- Pain can direct us. C.S. Lewis wrote that “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Pain often motivates us to seek God.
- Pain can perfect us. James 1:2-4 exhorts us to “count it all joy” when we suffer various trials because testing produces perseverance and maturity in us.
- Pain displays God’s comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 teaches that God comforts us in all our affliction so that we can comfort others. Our pain allows us to minister to others.
In His mysterious wisdom, God uses pain for our ultimate good and His glory.
How should Christians respond to pain?
The Bible guides how believers should respond when experiencing pain:
Turn to God
We should bring our pain to God in prayer, asking for His presence, comfort, strength, and deliverance (Psalm 22:24, Matthew 11:28, 2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Trust God
Though difficult, we must trust that God has purpose in our pain, even when we don’t understand (Proverbs 3:5-6, Job 1:20-22).
Hope in future glory
Our present sufferings are producing an eternal glory that outweighs them all (Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Grow in character
We should allow pain to cultivate virtues like patience, perseverance, compassion, and humility in us (Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4).
Help others
Just as God comforts us in pain, we should use our pain to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Galatians 6:2).
Avoid sinful responses
We should not become bitter, resentful, or angry at God when encountering pain (Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:15).
Keep an eternal perspective
Our pain is slight and temporary compared to the surpassing joy awaiting us (Psalm 30:5, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17).
God empathizes with our pain
A profoundly encouraging truth about Christianity is that God can identify with human pain. In Christ, God experienced the depths of human pain:
- Jesus was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3).
- He endured rejection, betrayal, mocking, scourging, and crucifixion.
- He was troubled, wept, and anguished over death (John 11:33, 12:27).
- He understands suffering having experienced it Himself (Hebrews 4:15).
Because of Christ, God compassionately understands our pain and ministers grace to us in our times of need (Hebrews 2:17-18, 4:14-16).
How Jesus responded to those in pain
As part of His ministry, Jesus frequently encountered and relieved those in pain:
- He had compassion on the sick, crippled, demon-possessed, and disabled, healing their infirmities (Matthew 4:23-24).
- He restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, and mobility to the lame and paralyzed.
- He touched lepers, outcasts, and the untouchable, defending their dignity as humans.
- He welcomed children, elevating their status in a society that marginalized them.
- He dined with tax collectors and sinners, bringing hope to despised members of society.
- He raised the dead, turning mourning into joy for their loved ones.
- He wept at Lazarus’s tomb, sharing in the grief of his friends (John 11:35).
Jesus’ ministry shows God’s deep compassion for those in pain. It also provides an example for Christians to follow in serving others who suffer.
Heaven promises an end to pain
The Bible teaches that one day pain will cease to exist for the people of God. In the New Heavens and New Earth there will be:
- No more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).
- No hunger, thirst, scorching heat, physical ailments, or disabilities (Revelation 7:16-17).
- No more relational strife, conflict, misunderstanding, or emotional hurts (Isaiah 11:6-9).
- Fullness of joy, eternal pleasures, and unhindered fellowship with God and others (Psalm 16:11).
This future hope inspires endurance and perspective for believers currently experiencing pain. Our pain will one day be swallowed up in eternal joy.
Psalms that deal with pain
The Book of Psalms candidly expresses the pain experienced by both individuals and groups. Many Psalms model raw, honest prayers to God in times of pain. Here are some key examples:
Psalms of lament
These Psalms cry out to God from a context of pain and trouble:
- Psalm 3 – When David fled from his son Absalom
- Psalm 13 – A plea for help in deep distress
- Psalm 22 – An anguished cry that Jesus quoted on the cross
- Psalm 42-43 – A grieving of soul in affliction
- Psalm 69 – Persecution and zeal for God’s house
- Psalm 102 – Affliction and loneliness
Penitential Psalms
These Psalms express pain over sin and a desire for God’s forgiveness:
- Psalm 6 – Weary from chastening and grief over sin
- Psalm 32 – The blessedness of confession and forgiveness
- Psalm 38 – Confession of sin under chastisement
- Psalm 51 – David’s prayer for cleansing from sin
- Psalm 102 – Crying to God from affliction due to sin
- Psalm 130 – Waiting for the Lord’s forgiveness
- Psalm 143 – Longing for God’s deliverance from trouble
Imprecatory Psalms
These Psalms invoke God’s judgment on enemies who have inflicted pain:
- Psalm 35 – A plea for vindication against persecutors
- Psalm 55 – Betrayed by a friend
- Psalm 59 – Asking God to destroy evil enemies
- Psalm 69 – Persecution from zeal for God’s house
- Psalm 109 – Prayer against a wicked betrayer
- Psalm 137 – Remembering Babylon’s destruction of Jerusalem
While shocking in their honesty, these Psalms remind us we can pour out our pain to God who understands.
Key figures who endured pain
Many biblical figures experienced great pain while remaining faithful to God. Their examples inspire perseverance:
- Job – Lost his health, wealth, and children yet still trusted God (Job 1-2)
- Joseph – Betrayed by brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused yet became a ruler in Egypt (Genesis 37, 39-50)
- David – Endured many trials yet called God his rock and salvation (2 Samuel books)
- Jeremiah – Mocked and persecuted yet remained faithful as the weeping prophet (book of Jeremiah)
- Daniel – Thrown into the lions’ den yet God shut the lions’ mouths (Daniel 6)
- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – Thrown into the fiery furnace yet God protected them (Daniel 3)
- Paul – Imprisoned, flogged, stoned, shipwrecked, yet finished his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
- Jesus – Crucified yet willing out of love for the world (John 3:16)
Despite intense pain, these heroes of the faith clung to God and found Him faithful.
Bible verses about pain
Here are some key Bible verses that speak to the issue of pain:
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)
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. (Revelation 21:4)
How believers can help those in pain
The Bible offers guidance on how Christians can help and support those experiencing pain:
- Be patient, gentle, and peaceful (Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-13)
- Listen well without judging (Proverbs 18:13, James 1:19)
- Speak words of comfort, encouragement, and hope (1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Acknowledge their feelings and pain (John 11:35, Romans 12:15)
- Pray for and with them (James 5:14-16)
- Suggest professional help if needed (Proverbs 11:14, Exodus 18:17-18)
- Meet practical needs for meals, childcare, transportation, financial assistance (Romans 12:13, Philippians 2:4, James 2:14-17)
- Simply be present – your companionship means more than words (Job 2:13, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
- Point them to Christ who understands suffering (Isaiah 53:3, Hebrews 4:14-16)
Showing Christlike compassion to those in pain displays His love and provides them support during difficult times.
Conclusions
In summary, the Bible provides rich insight into understanding and navigating pain from a Christian perspective:
- God allows pain for purposes like discipline, growth, and ministry to others.
- We should respond to pain by turning to God in faith and hope, growing in godly virtues, and serving others in their pain.
- Jesus understands our pain profoundly having experienced it Himself in the incarnation.
- The Psalms model raw, honest cries to God from contexts of pain.
- Many biblical heroes endured great pain yet remained faithful.
- Heaven promises an end to all pain for the people of God.
- Even in our pain, we have access to God’s all-sufficient grace and comfort.
- As Christians we are called to support those experiencing pain with compassion.
Though the Problem of Pain remains complex, the Bible equips us to process our pain in light of the hope and resources available in Christ. Clinging to Him provides strength and perspective to press on during painful times.
