## Problems: Pain

## Revelation 21:4

(Revelation 21:4) And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

What a great promise from god's word. There is coming a time for all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ when there will be no more pain! Nearly two hundred years ago, Thomas Jefferson wrote: "the art of life is the avoiding of pain." when we first hear that statement, it appears to be true. None of us deliberately looks for pain as we go about our daily life, all of us do our best to avoid pain, but pain is an important part of our spiritual development.

In our experience there are many times when we have chosen not to avoid the pain. For an example look at the matter of human birth, certainly there have been great advancements in medicine to protect the mother, but there is still a certain amount of pain. Jesus used this as an illustration of suffering.

(John 16:21) A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

Think of the pain and sorrow that a mother and father experience as they seek to raise that child. Someone has said that when children are little, they step on your feet; but when they are older, they step on your heart! I have met many dedicated Christian parents whose hearts have been broken because of a wayward child who failed to heed their instruction and example. If everybody really lived to avoid pain, nobody would get married and raise a family; yet people do it all the time.

Pain, itself, is not sinful. Some pain and suffering comes because of disobedience; but not all pain is the result of sin. Pain is a danger signal, and we should be thankful for it, if we never felt pain when something was wrong in our bodies, we would die from neglect. But what good is pain to us spiritually? This is where we want to focus our attention this morning.

I. Our Response To Pain.

A. We are in a hurry for it to be over, and when it is we forget about it.

1. We say "thank goodness that's over!"

2. If we do not allow the experience to play a significant part in our future, there will be no change, and therefore no growth.

3. Example: My first heart attack.

B. It is also possible for us to become so bound to the experience that it actually hinders our spiritual growth.

1. We never forget about it.

2. It becomes a focal point in our lives,

3. We can become bitter if we focus only on the affliction, and fail to view it as an opportunity for growth.

4. Suffering and pain can become a mirror, where we only see ourselves and our own needs, or it can become a window through which we can see the needs of others.

(2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

C. The right response: We need to respond in a manner that reflects spiritual maturity.

1. Suffering and pain is an expected part of the Christian life.

(Acts 14:21-22) And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

2. Peter tells us that we shouldn't be surprised.

(1 Peter 4:12-13) Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

3. Rather we should rejoice in the trials.

II. The Ministry Of Pain

A. Pain and affliction reveals spiritual needs.

(Psalms 119:67) Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

1. Here was a man who was enjoying considerable material prosperity.

2. His life was full and satisfying, but he did not see that his natural prosperity was disguising his spiritual bankruptcy.

3. His affliction revealed his need spiritually.

4. Remember, not all pain and suffering is intended as a warning against spiritual decline, but there are times when this is the case.

5. "Before I was afflicted I went astray. . . "

6. God's mercy is seen in that he doesn't allow us to continue to drift away, but sends chastisement to wake us up!

(Psalms 119:71) It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

a. To be able to see beyond the pain and see the hand of God is a mark of maturity.

b. He knew the statutes intellectually, but now he learned them by experience.

c. It is one thing to quote Romans 8:28, but it is quite another thing to experience it!

B. Pain and affliction reveal the faithfulness of God.

(Psalms 119:75) I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

1. At first glance we might say that the writer was saying that he was simply getting what he deserved.

2. However, if that was the case he would have said "in justice thou hast afflicted me".

3. Through it all, he recognized God's faithfulness,

4. Note the example of Joseph.

a. As a young man he had been marked out by God for leadership among his people.

b. In his heart he went astray because of pride.

c. Then it was one affliction after another in his life until God's will was fulfilled through him.

d. The important thing is that somewhere along the way, Joseph learned this same lesson.

(Genesis 50:20) But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

e. He was able to see the faithfulness of God through it all.

C. Pain can bring us into closer fellowship with Christ.

1. Some people turn against God when they go through suffering, but this need not be so.

2. We can be drawn closer to Christ through pain because of the fellowship we have with him.

(Philippians 3:10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

3. Paul knew something about pain.

a. Note: 2 Co. 12:2-10

b. Jesus said, "my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Pain can have a purifying power in our lives as it reveals areas of spiritual needs, it also points us to the faithfulness of God, and it brings us into closer fellowship with Him. What is our response to pain? We need to surrender our pain to Christ and ask Him to use it for His glory. God never promised to remove our pain, or even to relieve our pain; but He does promise to transform it and use it for His eternal purpose.