Pain

A sense of physical suffering, anguish or distress, which has a number of causes. Scripture indicates the sources of pain and its potential spiritual implications and results.

Pain is universal

Romans 8:22 See also Genesis 3:16–17; Job 5:7

We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.

The origins of pain

Satanic activity

Genesis 3:15 See also Job 1:12, Job 2:6–7; Luke 13:16; 2 Corinthians 12:7

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Human activity

Psalm 37:14 See also Genesis 4:8; Exodus 1:10–11; Nahum 3:1–4; Habakkuk 2:6, Habakkuk 2:8, Habakkuk 2:10, Habakkuk 2:12

The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

God's judgment and glory

John 9:2–3 See also Exodus 9:11; Numbers 12:10–11; 2 Chronicles 26:19–20; Psalm 38:3–5; Proverbs 5:11; Acts 12:23, Acts 13:11; 2 Corinthians 12:9

and His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him.

Kinds of pain

Physical pain

Psalm 38:7 See also Job 30:17; Matthew 10:28; Luke 23:33; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, 2 Corinthians 11:23–27

For my loins are full of burning pain, and no soundness remains in my body.

Mental pain

Jeremiah 15:18 See also Psalm 42:5–6, Psalm 42:11; Jeremiah 12:6; Matthew 26:38; 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Peter 2:8

Why is my pain unending, and my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? You have indeed become like a mirage to me— water that is not there.

Bereavement

John 11:33–35 See also Genesis 35:18, Genesis 50:1; 2 Samuel 12:22–23; Philippians 2:27; 1 Thessalonians 4:13

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. Jesus wept.

Spiritual pain

Conviction of sin

John 16:8 See also Psalm 32:3–5, Psalm 51:1–2; Luke 7:38; Acts 26:14

And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:

The anguish of hell

Mark 9:47–48 See also Matthew 5:22, Matthew 8:12; Luke 13:28; Revelation 6:16

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’

Perplexity

Isaiah 50:10 See also Job 23:8–9; Psalm 22:1, Psalm 88:1–3; Jeremiah 20:7

Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.

Concern for others

Galatians 4:19 See also Acts 20:19; 2 Corinthians 2:1–5, 2 Corinthians 11:28; Philippians 3:18; Colossians 1:28–2:1; Hebrews 5:7

My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

The failure of others

Matthew 26:56 See also Matthew 26:40; John 13:21; Galatians 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:16; 3 John 1:10

But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Fruitful results of pain

It draws believers to God

1 Peter 4:19 See also John 14:1, John 14:18; Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 7:5–6; Hebrews 4:15–16, Hebrews 5:8

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

It equips believers to help others

2 Corinthians 1:4 See also Romans 5:3–5, Romans 12:15; Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 12:11

who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

It helps believers to anticipate the resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 See also Romans 8:19; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:14

When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

It points believers to heaven

Revelation 21:4 See also Romans 8:18; Revelation 7:15–17

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.”