Biblical Answer

When Chronic Pain Feels Like God's Absence

When chronic pain gets worse, it's natural to wonder if God is still present and loving. We might feel like He's abandoned us or that He's not caring about our suffering. But is this really true? The Bible tells us that God is always working, even in the midst of our pain. He is not aloof or distant, but rather, He is actively working to bring good out of our suffering (Romans 8:28).

Understanding God's Sovereignty

We often struggle with the idea that God is in control when our pain seems to be getting worse. We might think that He's not doing enough to help us or that He's not listening to our prayers. But the truth is, God is not bound by our circumstances. He is sovereign over all creation, including our pain. He is not limited by our understanding or our feelings. His plan is greater than our pain, and He is working to bring us closer to Himself through our suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). We don't have to assume that God is making us jump through unnecessary hoops or that He's not present in our pain. Instead, we can trust that He is working everything out for our good.

Finding Trust in the midst of Pain

So, how can we still trust God when our chronic pain gets worse? We can start by remembering that God has suffered on our behalf. He knows what it's like to be in pain, to be rejected, and to be forsaken. He is not some distant deity who is unaware of our struggles. He is a loving Father who is working to bring us closer to Himself through our suffering. We can trust Him because He is faithful and good, even when our circumstances don't make sense. We can also trust Him because He has given us the gift of faith, which enables us to see beyond our circumstances and to trust in His goodness, even when we don't understand what's happening. By trusting Jesus Himself, we can find the strength to endure our pain and to trust that He is working everything out for our good. Ultimately, trust in God is not about our feelings or our circumstances, but about our relationship with Him and our trust in His goodness and sovereignty.