Biblical Answer

Trusting God in the Midst of Chronic Pain

When chronic pain worsens, it can be challenging to maintain trust in God. We may feel hopeless, questioning His love, forgiveness, and even His presence in our lives. It's essential to recognize that God is not distant or aloof, but rather, He is actively working in our lives, even in the midst of suffering. We must avoid assuming that God is making us jump through unnecessary hoops or that He is not present to help us. Instead, we should remember that He suffered for us, so we could live, and that He is not on a divine ego trip, but rather, He is working to redeem us from our sin.

The Nature of Pain and God's Presence

Pain is endurable, but the seeming indifference of God is not. We may picture Him as lounging in a celestial deck-chair, while the hungry millions starve to death. However, this is not the God of the Bible. God is actively working in the world, and His presence is not absent, even in the midst of pain. We must not give up because the pain is intense right now, but rather, we must trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. We must also recognize that we are susceptible to the enemy's attacks, and that depression can make us feel like God is not present. However, Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). By trusting Jesus Himself, we can experience the impossible things He does in our lives, and our agony will become as natural as breathing.

Finding Trust in God's Suffering

It's essential to realize that God has suffered on account of evil, just like we have. We may question why God doesn't remove the evil in the world, but we must remember that God is great and all-sufficient. He can use our suffering for His glory and our good. As the psalmist remembers the good old days, he remembers the good old God. He remembers that God is faithful, even in the midst of pain and suffering. We must trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand why we are suffering. By trusting in God, we can find peace and rest, even in the midst of chronic pain. We must not give up, but rather, we must keep trusting in God, and He will use our suffering to employ strategies that will bring us closer to Him.