Pain is an essential mystery. That means, we cannot get to the bottom of the why, but only of the who, the what, the where and the when of pain. Add to that the how of pain, the dynamics of suffering.
It appears that pain and suffering are built into creation. And at the same time, that this creation is not the only sphere of life we shall know or are destined for. We are created or designed by God for an eternal life together, in that realm called heaven, which really means the place wherein God is perpetually present with a directness and intimacy only promised and dreamed of here. As Paul said, “If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19).
As one of my seminary professors put it, “Salvation is our eternal well-being as defined by God.” God knows why and toward what end we have been created; therefore, when we approach the subject of pain, we must ask not only the why and wherefore of pain in this life, but also its likely meaning for our eternal life.
First of all, in the world to come there will be no pain or suffering. God will wipe it all away. We learn this decisively at the end of the Bible:
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’
“And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life’” (Revelation 21:1-6).
What does pain do? It breaks us; it humbles us; it reveals to us or need for and dependence on God. Not as if we ever want to give God thanks for our pain and suffering – at least not during our trial or tribulation.
One thing pain fosters is the development of our endurance or perseverance:
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:1-5).
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
The suffering that is particularly lauded in the New Testament is the sharing in the suffering of Jesus Christ, brought about specifically by our participating in His ministry:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).
Finally, Paul and the early disciples considered suffering for Christ as an honor:
“As they left the council, they rejoiced that they were considered worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name. And every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah” (Acts 5:41-42).
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