Back Pain

I did a little gardening recently, and ended up with some back pain. This is unusual for me, and when it does happen, resolves fairly quickly. But it got me thinking. First of all, I'm getting old! OK, a little depressing so moving on. It made me think of friends who suffer from chronic back pain. I hope they're doing well and in a phase that feels like "remission". It would not be fun to have to deal with this or any other chronic pain on a daily basis.

But people do. Why is that? What is the purpose, point or plan of the problem of pain? I believe it produces power, particularly if we pursue perspective. (OK, forgive me for the alliteration, I just had to roll with it.) There are much greater philosophers, theologians and writers who have addressed this age-old question, so I'll just throw out a couple of verses I think summarize the point nicely.

Hebrews 12:2 "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

1 Peter 4:1-2 "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God."

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

2 Corinthians 4:7, 10 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ...We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

2 Corinthians 1:4 "who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

I think these verses show that suffering and pain can have, or are even promised to have, a wide range of positive outcomes. These benefits are for ourselves and for others; for the current, temporal life and for the life we'll live in eternity. So be encouraged, especially those who suffer bodily pain, as these verses promise even that has a purpose!

Have you had pain in your life? How is your heart doing with it?

About the author: Erin Duncan is a volunteer with All Nations International. She is on the journey to learning her role as a member of Christ’s body and as a gospel-bearer. In addition to these roles, she is a wife, dog mom, paralegal, and coffee shop connoisseur.

Repost from October 6, 2020

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