Practical Help For The Problem Of Pain

When a hurricane—or a pandemic—strikes, how can this theological discussion help us in practical ways? 

Here are steps to take in the storms of life.

First, utilize the free-will approach to examine the origin of suffering.

Is there sin to admit? Is this pain in some way the result of your own misused freedom?

If you are not sure, you may ask the Father. Take some time, a pen and paper, and invite the Spirit to show you anything wrong between you and God. Write down whatever comes to mind.

This “spiritual inventory” is a useful regular practice. Confess specifically and genuinely whatever the Spirit reveals to you. Claim his forgiving grace (1 John 1:9). Make restitution to others when doing so is to their good (Luke 19:8). But do not assume that suffering is always your fault. Joseph, Job, and Jesus are clear evidence to the contrary.

Second, use the soul-building model to ask: What can I learn from this situation?

How can you grow closer to God through this pain?

Strive to be open to every source from which this spiritual growth can come: ask friends for counsel, seek the Spirit in prayer and Scripture, and worship God even (especially) when it’s hard. Stay close enough to Jesus to hear his voice and feel his transforming touch.

Third, use the future hope approach to ask: How can God redeem this present suffering for future good?

How can he use your witness to touch the lives of people you may not even know? How will he reward your present faithfulness in the future and in glory?

You may not be able to see the future, but you can believe that it is real. One of my seminary professors explained the value of future hope this way: imagine that you are struggling financially (an easy thing for most seminary students to do). You’re sitting down to a dinner of beans and hot dogs when a knock comes at the door.

A messenger is there with a letter notifying you that your very wealthy uncle will die in the next few days and you will inherit a million dollars.

You return to your beans and hot dogs, but don’t they taste better?

Fourth, utilize the existential model to trust God’s help in the midst of your pain.

Know that he loves you, no matter how the world assesses or treats you. He will always be your Father, if you have asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord. Nothing can take you from his hand (John 10:28).

He will enable you to withstand this trial until the day he takes you home to glory.

Last, use the redemption model to believe that God is redeeming your suffering for his glory and your good.

We may not see that redemption today, but we will in eternity.