God’s Presence in Our Pain: A Reflection on Suffering

Medium author Dan Foster writes about his experience with his wife’s lengthy battle with cancer:

Source: “We Just Hit a Milestone No One Wants to Celebrate
A Hospital Chair, the Woman I Love, and a Faith That Refuses to Die” Dan Foster

People sometimes assume that suffering disproves the existence of a loving God. But I think it’s the opposite. The moment something tragic happens, we ask: Why? Why her? Why now? Why us?

The answer for why rarely comes. If we knew why, how would it change our circumstances or view? Mary and Martha walk through this painful experience when Jesus doesn’t come to heal Lazarus. The Disciples were in disarray and deep grief over Jesus’ suffering, death, and later disappearance. Like them, we don’t know the reasons or ways of God.

The Question Why

Did young David know why Saul relentlessly pursued him? What about Joseph’s cries as he was thrown into a pit and left by his brothers. He went from being a favored son to being a slave. This is part of our reality as believers and followers: we will suffer loss, grief, and eventually pass into eternity. Dan Foster explains that our cry of pain is more than just emotional release:

That question — why — isn’t just a cry of pain. It’s a signpost. It points to something in us that refuses to accept the universe as cold and random. It reveals that we expect life to make moral sense.

That we believe deep down that pain shouldn’t win, that this isn’t how it’s meant to be. And that expectation? That sense of rightness and wrongness? That’s spiritual. Even in our protest, we’re pointing toward something — or Someone — we believe is supposed to be listening.

Crying out to God for His presence is proof of faith. As mentioned in previous posts, there is value to lament when in seasons of difficulty, loss, and struggle. The fact that we cry out means that we believe Someone is listening! What difficulties are you facing in your journey? Comments are open for anyone who desires encouragement or to share your life experience.

The Resurrection and True life comforts a distraught Mary who runs to Him.

He is

“God is the presence beside you when everything falls apart. The whisper in your chest saying, “You are not alone.”

He is the peace that doesn’t make sense. He is the resilience you didn’t know you had. He is the friend who texts at the exact moment you’re breaking down. He is the stranger who unknowingly shows up like grace in human form.”

The Celtic Cross represents the Holy Trinity of God. The circle reminds us of eternity and the truth that God seeks to make all things anew through Himself. God desires that we bring all of ourselves to Him to be made anew through His grace!

Favorite quote from Gandalf, the wise and good wizard of Lord of the Rings:

“Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer.”

Faith that endures

Dan’s testimony:

I’m not going to tell you “everything happens for a reason,” or that there’s a silver lining coming if you just wait long enough. I’ve sat beside someone I love while poison dripped into her veins, watched her lose weight and strength and hair, and tried to find hope without lying to myself. I’ve begged God for things He hasn’t done. And yet — somehow — I still believe God is real.

Not because I’ve seen miracles. But because I’ve seen love that shouldn’t exist in places this broken.

I’ve seen grace show up in completely ordinary people. I’ve seen my wife walk through hell with kindness in her eyes.

So, no, I don’t believe in a God who fixes everything.

I believe in a God who shows up anyway.

Platitudes and common spiritual sayings aren’t comfort. The “silver lining to every cloud” is a minimizing statement that neglects to be present with others. Trying to assign meaning to terrible things leads to more pain for those in these seasons. However, Dan recognizes the presence of Christ through the loving actions and presence of others. His wife’s courage and kindness while suffering serve as an example.

It’s God’s presence that comforts and sustains us. Holy Spirit guides and encourages us in our darkest moments. Since Jesus ascended into heaven and later sent Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Holy Spirit guides, comforts, and instructs those who follow and trust in Him.

Holy Spirit’s Role

Got Questions comments:

“Once we are saved and belong to God, the Spirit takes up residence in our hearts forever, sealing us with the confirming, certifying, and assuring pledge of our eternal state as His children. Jesus said He would send the Spirit to us to be our Helper, Comforter, and Guide. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16). The Greek word translated here “Counselor” means “one who is called alongside” and has the idea of someone who encourages and exhorts. The Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in the hearts of believers (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 12:13). Jesus gave the Spirit as a “compensation” for His absence, to perform the functions toward us that He would have done if He had remained personally with us.

Source: https://www.gotquestions.org/Spirit-today.html

A friend comforts another friend. A hug or quick embrace says more than a platitude about how someone cares.

Being a Comfort to Others

Here’s a viewpoint to consider: Be there for others!

“And if you’re still in the middle of it — still aching, still waiting, still unsure if your faith is even intact — I don’t have advice.

But I do have solidarity.

You’re not alone. Not in your fear. Not in your doubt. Not even in your anger. Somewhere, someone is sitting in a hospital chair, asking the same questions you are. And I believe that God is there, too. Not offering easy answers. Just presence. Just love.

And sometimes, that’s not enough. But sometimes… it is.” Dan Foster

Just as His presence comforts and sustains us, we follow His example. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:3-5 Berean Standard Bible

The God of All Comfort

3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

Commentary/Practical Application

Source: https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/1/2-Corinthians-1-4.html

“Suffering in this life often feels meaningless. Scripture immediately brings a sense of purpose to our suffering. Those who have been comforted by God—strengthened, encouraged, relieved of the burden—have opportunity to pass along comfort to others who are suffering. In that sense, God’s comfort is reproducible and repeatable. God remains the source, but believers can keep distributing God’s comfort to others who suffer as they have.”

As God comforts us, we comfort others. He is the Source of Comfort-it flows through us to others.

Question to consider::

“Who has more empathy and compassion for someone who is suffering, inwardly or outwardly, than a believer who has experienced that same suffering from that same cause? Who is better able to express how God comforted them in a similar moment than someone who has walked the same path?”

Prayer for you: God’s presence will shine light into your life as you journey with Him through the valleys and mountain top seasons.