Pain Is Real

“For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am a man who has no strength.” (Psalm 88:3-4)

It is not abnormal to want ease and comfort in our lives. So much so, that we can have a tendency to deny the reality of difficult things that happen to us. From an early age, we teach our children to tough it out, ignore the pain, keep going. Now, certainly–we should not allow difficulty to completely derail our lives! Nor, however, when serious things happen, should we ignore them. Pain is real.

We know this is true! We have all experienced pain–whether physical, mental or emotional in nature is, in some ways, beside the point. Pain is a part of life because of the curse of sin. In Genesis 3:17, God promises Adam that pain will be his lifelong companion. Heman, the author of Psalm 88, freely admits that his pain is great, and that he has no strength to fight it.

How do we respond to pain in our lives? How do we encourage others who come to us in pain? First of all, do not try to convince them that the pain is imagined, or that good Christ-followers never experience hurt. That only leads to guilt and shame in the heart of the sufferer. Secondly, direct them to the God of all comfort (II Corinthians 1:3). He knows, He understands, and He is near to those who hurt. Thirdly, walk with them as they process their pain. God calls us to bear each other’s burden of suffering (Galatians 6:2). Together, we can live and thrive–even in the midst of pain.

-Pastor Mike