Pondering Pain

The past three weeks have been filled with physical pain for me. It has been a drawn out process of multiple medical examinations and tests (from Winnipeg to Pembroke) that has resulted in a definitive diagnosis that I have a strain of the Shingles infection called Ramsay Hunt syndrome (Herpes Zoster Oticus). This occurs when the herpes virus infects the facial nerve near one of the ears. In my case the right ear. The result is extreme pain, a rash, hearing loss and facial paralysis. The period of sickness can vary depending on early diagnosis and treatment. In my case not early enough. So the illness and symptoms may last for weeks or even months.

It has been a trial dealing with the extreme pain and paralysis. The experience has given me a lot of time to contemplate about suffering. Mostly the question, "Why?"; or, "For what purpose is God allowing me to suffer at this time?" First of all it is crucial for me to affirm that at the foundation of my belief system is a God who is in sovereign control of every single event in my life: whether good or bad; painful or pleasurable; in prosperity or poverty; in sickness or well health. The Bible I read describes God as the ruler of all. He is not shackled by evil or the consequences of sin in this world; neither is He bound by the free will of humans. Although I cannot comprehend it, I am convinced that He is the Lord of the good and the bad in my life and yet remains blameless of being evil. Here are a few examples from the Scriptures that affirms this truth.

When God granted Satan permission to strike Job's body, "Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head." In despair Job's wife urged him to, "Curse God and die." Yet Job responded by looking to God as the ultimate cause of his suffering: "Shall we receive good from God, and we shall not accept evil?" (Job 2:7-10). The writer of the book of Job closes the last chapter by referring to Job's loss and suffering like this: "Then came to him all his brothers and sisters . . . and comforted him for all the evil that he LORD had brought upon him." (Job 42:11).

From the burning bush God said to Moses, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" (Exodus 4:11).

The prophets assert this truth about God's character as well. Daniel states, "He does according  to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him,'What have you done?'" (Daniel 4:35).

Isaiah affirms, "He declares the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all of my purpose.'" (Isaiah 46:10).

Jeremiah asks the rhetorical question, "Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the LORD has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?" (Lamentations #:37-38).

In Amos's argument that the LORD is bringing severe judgment upon Israel, he employs the reasoning of cause and effect to conclude, "When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the LORD caused it?" (Amos 3:3-6).

I may not fully comprehend the "Why?" of pain in my life, however, this one thing I am confident of: it happens for my good and for God's eternal glory. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

On the conviction that God is good and God is good and does govern all things to accomplish his purpose, I now can seek the Scriptures for revelation as to what those purposes might be in my own life. God does explain in his word some reasons why there is suffering in our lives. In the following posts I will attempt to share some of my ponderings over my pain in past few weeks.

I'll close for now with these comforting words penned by the blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby:

All the way my Savior leads me;

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy,

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well;

For I know, whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.