I Suffer from Chronic Pain

[Bluerose31]

I suffer from Chronic pain and had stopped being Christian because of it. I was under extreme pain and angry at God for letting me suffer so much. I recently became a Christian again after getting badly hurt. I was kidnapped. I still deal with Chronic pain but it is less and I am starting to want to be close to God again. How do your health issues effect your relationship with God?

 

[PollyJetix]

They drive me closer to Him.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

How do your health issues effect your relationship with God?

I'm sorry to hear of your chronic pain and traumatic story.
And I'm not suggesting that my pain would be anywhere near yours.
I'm getting old. When I wake up I feel stiffness in neck, back, hands and sometimes other parts of the body. it takes me an hour to warm up and feel close to normal. I know if I lost say 20 kg, my issues would be less severe. But I find diets too difficult.
The answer for me anyway is more self-discipline. I think that is what God is saying anyway. I blame myself, not God. God has helped me more now that I have come to accept his existence.

 

[Greg J.]

I have always known that no human or medical knowledge could cure me of my pain, so while I have been and sometimes still am angry with God—and confused sometimes about why he does doesn't "do something"—I have always known more deeply that he is my only hope. I know that he is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and everything he does springs from that, so there is a reason he allows suffering even though I don't know what it is in individual cases. I do understand why he allows it in general, but that's doesn't comfort me when I'm in pain, although it does help me accept it more deeply when I am not in pain.

It was a real serious struggle to stick with God for a number of years, but it got easier as I learned and accepted what he is like (and what sin is like). It has always helped me to remind myself that God never wanted pain to exist. He didn't create it and he didn't design us to be able to handle it. Pain is "all wrong." Humans sinning is the source of all pain (and I have contributed to it). It is a big reason that I struggle against sin as much as I can, because I know that it results in a worsening of the pain on earth in general for others (especially descendants). Jesus Christ chose to suffer to save us even though we didn't deserve him to. His desire to save us from pain is extreme. I'm very thankful for that, and I look forward to the Lord's occasional (sometimes often) blessings in this life and the time when I will never again feel pain—because of him.

The problem we have is that due to our sinful nature, we are wired to blame God for our pain, but the fact is that his kingdom is not divided and everything he is doing is to save people from pain. If my suffering keeps 1 person who I never met out of eternal punishment, it was well worth it, and that is one example of exactly why God allows suffering on earth (Matthew 13:24-30).

When not suffering, seize the opportunity to invest in Jesus. He suffers with you when you suffer (Romans 8:17 and others).

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24, 1984 NIV) Also see the whole passage: Matthew 7:24-27. By living according to the will of God, he strengthens us so that what used to be very painful becomes less painful, and it also builds up eternal blessings for us that others will not get.

 

[teresa]

me too, it makes me seek Him out more, and I never for a second blame god.

 

[Poppyseed78]

I'm sorry you're in pain. I too have chronic pain. I find some relief and hope in prayer. It's not God's fault this happened to me, and I know that one day the pain will end and I will be in Heaven with Him. So that gives me some peace.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

It has always helped me to remind myself that God never wanted pain to exist. He didn't create it and he didn't design us to be able to handle it. Pain is "all wrong." Humans sinning is the source of all pain

This is where I get a little confused by the symbol of the Cross. Jesus/God seems to embrace pain and act as an example that we should endure it willingly. Is that right?

 

[teresa]

This is where I get a little confused by the symbol of the Cross. Jesus/God seems to embrace pain and act as an example that we should endure it willingly. Is that right?

idk about the answer to that question, Paul, but I know that nerves are incredible and masterful and we could not be as magnificent as we are without our nervous system.

God created the nervous system.

 

[Greg J.]

This is where I get a little confused by the symbol of the Cross. Jesus/God seems to embrace pain and act as an example that we should endure it willingly. Is that right?

Actually, we "should" enduring pain willingly and even rejoice in our sufferings, but do we? (Sometimes I think we'd be better off without having the word and concept of should in English.) God doesn't expect us to behave in ways that are impossible for us. Our character doesn't instantly turn mighty, pure, holy, and perfect when we are saved. Jesus was perfect and very strong. He willingly went to suffer for a really good reason, and we do the same thing when it is for the best. How important it is empowers us. (How much pain is a mother willing to endure to save the life of her daughter?) All of Jesus' being was oriented to being obedient to the Father no matter what, even when he didn't like it.

The choice to suffer like Jesus did brings the power of God into a situation and earns a person great reward (in this life and the life to come) and deeper fellowship with Jesus. Those are reasons why some people can rejoice in their sufferings, but it is God that transforms a person to be like that. No one can do it themselves. No one should feel bad that they hate pain. Jesus himself desired to avoid it. Just do the best you can and cry out to God and keep seeking deliverance. He does not ignore your cries, and they add up. It is not that he doesn't want to rescue us from pain (Matthew 26:53), but that there's other things going on that we just don't understand.

One extremely important value of pain is that it empowers us to seek God. God uses that to bless us in many ways, including to transform us into someone who feels less pain in the long-term. Some would benefit from reflecting on their motivations to press in to God. I think most would find that if life was all good and wonderful, they would be drawn to do things that pleased themselves and would be much less interested in what God could do for them. (This is why the Jews kept falling away from God all through their history.) The path to less life pain is through deepening one's relationship with living Jesus, which, when in pain, may amount to just struggling to not blame him.

 

[Bluerose31]

They drive me closer to Him.

I agree. This happens to me too

 

[Bluerose31]

Actually, we "should" enduring pain willingly and even rejoice in our sufferings, but do we? (Sometimes I think we'd be better off without having the word and concept of should in English.) God doesn't expect us to behave in ways that are impossible for us. Our character doesn't instantly turn mighty, pure, holy, and perfect when we are saved. Jesus was perfect and very strong. He willingly went to suffer for a really good reason, and we do the same thing when it is for the best. How important it is empowers us. (How much pain is a mother willing to endure to save the life of her daughter?) All of Jesus' being was oriented to being obedient to the Father no matter what, even when he didn't like it.

The choice to suffer like Jesus did brings the power of God into a situation and earns a person great reward (in this life and the life to come) and deeper fellowship with Jesus. Those are reasons why some people can rejoice in their sufferings, but it is God that transforms a person to be like that. No one can do it themselves. No one should feel bad that they hate pain. Jesus himself desired to avoid it. Just do the best you can and cry out to God and keep seeking deliverance. He does not ignore your cries, and they add up. It is not that he doesn't want to rescue us from pain (Matthew 26:53), but that there's other things going on that we just don't understand.

One extremely important value of pain is that it empowers us to seek God. God uses that to bless us in many ways, including to transform us into someone who feels less pain in the long-term. Some would benefit from reflecting on their motivations to press in to God. I think most would find that if life was all good and wonderful, they would be drawn to do things that pleased themselves and would be much less interested in what God could do for them. (This is why the Jews kept falling away from God all through their history.) The path to less life pain is through deepening one's relationship with living Jesus, which, when in pain, may amount to just struggling to not blame him.

Thank you for this I agree that pain can be used to be closer to God, its just difficult. Thank you for reminding me God cares.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I think most would find that if life was all good and wonderful, they would be drawn to do things that pleased themselves and would be much less interested in what God could do for them.

If everything is A OK in my life, I forget God very easily and enjoy the sound of my own wheels, Then I suppose I should be grateful for things that draw me back to Him, even they appear negative on the surface.

 

[teresa]

The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3 v 17

 

[PollyJetix]

I just buried my mother, and at her graveside, I caught a cold that just won't leave.
I feel so run down and exhausted. (pneumonia?)
I was out of work for two weeks, and then had my hours reduced...
And now, taxes are due, and I don't feel I can make it, without a miracle.

But God is still on the throne, and even though all is not right with the world, I will trust Him.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

The path to less life pain is through deepening one's relationship with living Jesus, which, when in pain, may amount to just struggling to not blame him.

What about painkillers?

 

[Bluerose31]

I'm sorry to hear of your chronic pain and traumatic story.
And I'm not suggesting that my pain would be anywhere near yours.
I'm getting old. When I wake up I feel stiffness in neck, back, hands and sometimes other parts of the body. it takes me an hour to warm up and feel close to normal. I know if I lost say 20 kg, my issues would be less severe. But I find diets too difficult.
The answer for me anyway is more self-discipline. I think that is what God is saying anyway. I blame myself, not God. God has helped me more now that I have come to accept his existence.

it is beautiful to read how God has been with you through your pain

 

[Bluerose31]

I have always known that no human or medical knowledge could cure me of my pain, so while I have been and sometimes still am angry with God—and confused sometimes about why he does doesn't "do something"—I have always known more deeply that he is my only hope. I know that he is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and everything he does springs from that, so there is a reason he allows suffering even though I don't know what it is in individual cases. I do understand why he allows it in general, but that's doesn't comfort me when I'm in pain, although it does help me accept it more deeply when I am not in pain.

It was a real serious struggle to stick with God for a number of years, but it got easier as I learned and accepted what he is like (and what sin is like). It has always helped me to remind myself that God never wanted pain to exist. He didn't create it and he didn't design us to be able to handle it. Pain is "all wrong." Humans sinning is the source of all pain (and I have contributed to it). It is a big reason that I struggle against sin as much as I can, because I know that is results in a worsening of the pain on earth in general for others (especially descendants). Jesus Christ chose to suffer to save us even though we didn't deserve him to. His desire to save us from pain is extreme. I'm very thankful for that, and I look forward to the Lord's occasional (sometimes often) blessings in this life and the time when I will never again feel pain—because of him.

The problem we have is that due to our sinful nature, we are wired to blame God for our pain, but the fact is that his kingdom is not divided and everything he is doing is to save people from pain. If my suffering keeps 1 person who I never met out of eternal punishment, it was well worth it, and that is one example of exactly why God allows suffering on earth (Matthew 13:24-30).

When not suffering, seize the opportunity to invest in Jesus. He suffers with you when you suffer (Romans 8:17 and others).

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24, 1984 NIV) Also see the whole passage: Matthew 7:24-27. By living according to the will of God, he strengthens us so that what used to be very painful becomes less painful, and it also builds up eternal blessings for us that others will not get.

Thank you for saying God does not make pain. Thank you for your encouraging words. It reminds me God is with us in our pain

 

[teresa]

it is beautiful to read how God has been with you through your pain

May I inquire what your pain problems are? or what disorders you have?

Remember you are not obligated to reveal this.

 

[Bluerose31]

May I inquire what your pain problems are? or what disorders you have?

Remember you are not obligated to reveal this.

I have something similar to fibromyalgia. I have struggled with it for some years now.

 

[teresa]

I just buried my mother, and at her graveside, I caught a cold that just won't leave.
I feel so run down and exhausted. (pneumonia?)
I was out of work for two weeks, and then had my hours reduced...
And now, taxes are due, and I don't feel I can make it, without a miracle.

But God is still on the throne, and even though all is not right with the world, I will trust Him.

Me too, sister, I still love God so much.

At times, my failure is that I come to believe that He doesn't listen to my prayers and I begin to lose hope and feel despondent.