The Nature and Purpose of Pain
Pain — whether physical or emotional — is a signal that something is wrong or out of balance. It is a universal human experience, yet its intensity, purpose, and meaning vary profoundly across circumstances and individuals.
Physical Pain and the Suffering of Christ
People have varying thresholds of physical pain they can tolerate. Scripture teaches that believers will experience no more pain or sickness in heaven, yet the unbelievers will experience everlasting, extreme pain in the lake of fire (Mt 13:40-43,50; Rev 20:15, 21:4,8).
Jesus, knowing the physical pain of His death was coming, in anguish of prayer asked God the Father if He could be spared this ordeal, yet submitted to it to provide our salvation (Mt 26:39,42,44; Lk 22:44). He was flogged, a crown of thorns was forced on His head, and He suffered crucifixion — a slow and extremely horrible death — which He endured in our place (Mt 27:26,29,35).
Christ suffered in our place
While His physical suffering was horrendous, He was emotionally heartbroken when God turned away as our sin was placed on Him at the cross (Isa 53:3-4; Mk 15:34). Sin always separates from God, and because Jesus took our sin, being separated emotionally and spiritually from His Father, this pain was of even greater magnitude than the physical agony.
Emotional Pain and Its Effects
Emotional pain is mental distress that does not have an identifiable physical cause, yet it can contribute to or worsen physical pain in different areas of the body. It may result from the actions of others — such as abuse in childhood — or from regret, grief, loss, or low self-esteem. Because it can be triggered by past hurtful experiences, there may be a need to seek inner healing of the memories.
There is far more empathy given to sufferers of physical injury than to those with psychological or emotional pain, yet it can be just as debilitating and intense. Those who resort to cutting — slicing their flesh superficially with a blade — do so because the physical pain distracts from the emotional pain, offering them temporary relief.
Bring all your pain to the healer
No matter what the cause, emotional pain can be intense and significantly affect many areas of a person's life. Symptoms can include feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, loneliness, negative emotions, isolation, and broken-heartiness. It can be expressed in a variety of ways such as aggression, violence, attempted suicide, and withdrawal from society.
Because emotional pain can be so distressing, people often turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including drugs and alcohol. While these methods might provide short-term relief, they cause greater damage in the long run. Healthier options include talking the issues through with someone — especially Jesus — engaging in physical activity to improve moods, and reaching out to others, which takes the focus off ourselves.
Healthy coping vs. destructive escape
The Divine Purpose in Pain
The believer knows that all God's dealings are those of a loving Father, who only permits what is grievous in the short term in order to accomplish long-term gain that cannot be achieved in a less painful way. David said, "If I had not been afflicted I wouldn't have learnt your ways" (Ps 119:71). The divine purpose of what we go through is designed to produce in us the nature of Christ (Rom 8:28-29).
Even the pain from human discipline we experience is for our benefit; otherwise, later we might regret that we were never loved enough to be corrected (Prov 23:13; Heb 12:5-11). Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced humiliation and emotional pain when Joseph nearly broke off their engagement after she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit before they were married. Her son Jesus was rejected and murdered — yet He was our only hope (Mt 1:18-21, 27:22,26,56).
Pain is a motivator to change
While we celebrate the success of others, it is more important to journey with them in their pain, providing comfort and assurance that we are standing with them.
Reflection and Application:
- Consider a time of pain you have experienced — what long-term good might God have been working through it?
- How might you better support someone currently walking through emotional or physical pain?
- Are there unhealthy coping mechanisms you need to replace with healthier, God-honouring alternatives?
- Reflect on David's words in Psalm 119:71 — how has affliction shaped your understanding of God's ways?