Pain and the Love of God

It’s not as though we won’t experience pain just because we’re optimistic people… every person on this planet will suffer in some way, at some time. This hurt that could be physical, mental or spiritual will afflict all of us.

It’s not going to be possible to be cheery all the time. How can an optimistic person deal with these afflictions that cause an ache?

You can treat pain with the love of God.

C.S. Lewis’ book, “The Problem of Pain“, explores the question, “If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?”. I’ve underlined a great number of phrases as I’ve read the book, and the quote below is especially poignant for me:

“When pain is to be born,
a little courage
helps more than much knowledge,
a little human sympathy
more than much courage,
and the least tincture of the love of God
more than all.”

So, to paraphrase C.S. Lewis — just a little bit of the Love of God when dealing with pain is more effective than anything else.

Where do you go to feel the Love of God?

I can feel God’s love in many ways – including

reading His Word,
pondering and praying in solitude,
when I listen to praise and worship music,
hearing the Word from the altar at church,
when receiving communion – the body and blood of Jesus and hearing the absolution,
when I pray with Rob, and with friends,
and when I honestly force myself to list all the blessings God has provided for me. Being thankful helps me feel God’s Love.

How about you – where do you feel the Love of God?

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!

Strive for full restoration,

encourage one another,

be of one mind,

live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.

~ 2Corinthians 13:11 NIV