In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis sought an explanation for suffering that respects both God’s reputation for goodness and the searing reality of our pain. If God is good, why is there so much suffering? If God can make a world free from suffering by willing it, why the cross?
There are vital distinctions between good pain and bad pain. Bad pain signals increased injury and harm. It narrows our focus and darkens hope. None of us escapes suffering. So why not invest our pain in the direction of hope? The sacrifice of Jesus isn’t sealed in the tomb but rather opens the door. In the same way, none of us undergoes surgery or difficult medical treatments for the sake of suffering but in hope of restoring health or extending life. I have had several opportunities to experience the restoring of health after surgery.
People aren’t named martyrs for throwing themselves in harm’s way. A martyr’s passion promotes some higher purpose. We can become living martyrs of charity if we downsize our lifestyles to tithe a portion of our earnings to the cause of justice. Such sacrifices give life. Good pain widens possibilities. Bad pain just hurts.
Sickness and death are unavoidable. The reason the church identifies a sacrament to anoint the sick is because sickness has something to reveal to us. Some turn illness into a testimony of what they believe life is about. They spend their most mortal hours forgiving and seeking forgiveness, demonstrating compassion and caring, witnessing to their confidence in God. My Mom was such a person. She thought she had a week or two to survive. She fooled us all and lived for nearly five additional months. She was aware and taught us to the end of her earthly life.
No one has a choice about whether to suffer, yet we do have free will to determine how we chose to carry our pain. This is my sister, Ann. For decades, she has dealt with MS and an amazing laundry list of other physical challenges. Yet, she lives each day in gratitude for life. She was the driving force for establishing a food pantry in Centerburg that honors our parents. The pantry focuses on building a caring community that unites those in need with those willing to feed others with more than food. The more I learn about missionary discipleship, the more I see Ann’s face. Her suffering and service inspires others and offers hope to everyone around her.
The church maintains that suffering can be salvific. Suffering acts like a spiritual salve on the world’s wounds. St. Paul reminds us that when we unite our pain to that of Christ on the cross, the two become one as a divine rescue. When we unite our pain mystically with the pain of Jesus, our tears are given an exalted meaning and purpose. Because truly, when we acknowledge the real presence of Christ and His definitive victory over sin and death, what else are we going to do with all this suffering?