Why Are We Made to Feel Pain?

Why do bad things have to happen to us?

We need an answer to the question, “Why do the virtuous suffer?” The book of James is the current book I’m reading.
The issue of pain is discussed in depth in one particular area.

The Bible contains several chapters that teach us how to deal with suffering.
My mind wanders to the books of Job, several of the Psalms, Lamentations, Hebrews 12, and James.

During the early church’s existence, James was persecuted severely. He wrote about his trials and the ways in which God had helped him. By doing so, he deals with the issue of suffering that plagues human existence.

Be mindful that there is a wide range of suffering, including but not limited to the following: psychological, physiological, spiritual, bereavement, loss, transgression, and so on.
Fortunately, the concepts laid out by James can be put to use in the face of any difficulty.

So, I’ll respond to your inquiry by drawing on James’s observations.

1. We address the issue of suffering without pretense or pride, which is what ultimately allows us to find a solution.

James earned the nickname “camel knees” from his fellow Christians in the early church due to the countless hours he spent in prayer groveling on the floor.
This man lived a life of profound modesty.

James’s book begins with a sentence that really impressed me: A greeting from James, a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes dispersed across the world.
(James 1:1) Although James doesn’t present himself in this light, he shares a childhood with Jesus, a fact that is likely unknown to the reader.
What he might have written instead is: Apostolic James.
James, the bishop of Jerusalem’s Christian community (Galatians 1:19a).
(Acts 21:18)

King James, a rock in the Christian church.
[(Galatians 2:9)]

James, one of Jesus’s brothers.
Scripture references: Galatians 1:19b

There were numerous opportunities for him to elevate himself that he chose to forego. James, though, decided against it. Too preoccupied with his supplicatory kneelings to notice. Therefore, we humble ourselves in the face of suffering, knowing that Jesus is Lord and we are not. He has a deeper understanding of us than we have. He’s always there to provide exactly what we require.

2. We get rid of suffering by opting for happiness.

My dear brothers and sisters, count it all joy when various difficulties come your way.
(James 1:2)

In other words, “Rejoice!” I can’t believe you reacted like that. The supernatural has occurred!

Here we see one of the most salient features that sets mature Christians apart from their immature counterparts.

Immature Christians often respond to adversity by declaring, “Oh, everything’s against me!”
I feel enraged, furious, and dissatisfied.
No signs of happiness are in sight.
I’m quite aware of the fact that I’ve never had God’s favor.
Because I am angry and dissatisfied, I am leaving.

But the Christian who has grown in maturity can declare, “The last time I had difficulties, I confronted it, trusted God, and matured.
The lesson God has in store for me this time will be interesting to witness.

According to Webster, there is little distinction between happiness and joy.
However, the Bible draws a clear line between the two.

Circumstances are what determine happiness.
Feelings of happiness and contentment are at the heart of the human experience of joy.
Happiness is a state of mind that we actively cultivate.

Not if, but when you encounter difficulties, James urges to “count it all joy.”

Too many Christians I’ve met have told me they felt their problems were solved the moment they accepted Christ as their Savior.
In fact, the opposite is true.
Indeed, God states that if we are without trials, we are not His offspring, for all of God’s children experience trials (Hebrews 12).

Christians don’t lead trouble-free lives.
Christians are unique in that they already harbor the Problem-Solver.

Christian’s chose happiness.

3. To overcome suffering, one must understand that the ultimate goal of pain is to make us more Christlike.

Think of it as great delight, dear brothers and sisters, whenever you endure various trials, because you know that such testing of your faith develops endurance.
Perseverance should be allowed to run its course so that you can reach full adulthood and fulfillment.
(James 1:2-4)

Thus, it is through trials that we learn the patience of God.
And divine patience develops us till we are more Christlike.

Even though Jesus was a Son, the author of Hebrews says that his suffering taught him obedience (Hebrews 5:8).

If God the Son could grow up in the midst of adversity, then so can we.
If God the Son could grow by experiencing hardship, then so can we.
To become more like Jesus, however, we must “Let perseverance accomplish its work,” which means we must submit to and suffer adversity voluntarily.

At the airport, a man hurried with his briefcase to reach his gate before the plane’s door shut.

When he thought he was going to make it, he bumped with a kid who was toting a puzzle box.
When the box fell to the ground, its contents dispersed.

His feet took off and he ran away.
Time was of the essence, as he needed to catch a flight.
In the end, though, he decided against it.
He joined the youngster on his knees, picking up fragments.

The child looked up at the businessman after the package was sealed and inquired, “Mister, are you Jesus?”

Matt, it’s never a bad idea to take stock of the ways in which you and I resemble Jesus.

To overcome suffering, we must submit to Jesus’ constant process of transforming us into His likeness.

4. Recognizing the inevitable discomfort of the procedure is the solution to the pain problem.

In a nutshell, this is crucial.
The path of “trials and problems” is not a voluntary one.
Everyone has to take this class.

There is immense joy in all this, despite the fact that you may have had to go through some difficult times and experience some loss.
These things have happened so that at the revelation of Jesus Christ, the genuineness of your faith, which is of higher worth than gold (which may be destroyed even after being refined by fire), can be displayed and admired.
(1 Peter 1:8)

In Harry Ironside’s latter years, when his hearing was failing, he received a visit from a young man.
The guy pleaded, “Pray for me to have more patience.”
They got down on their knees and Ironside prayed, “Jesus, please send this young man some problems.”

In consideration of Ironside’s hearing impairment, the young man shook him and emphasized, “No, no, I didn’t indicate that I wanted issues.
I specifically requested patience.

They bent their heads in prayer once more.
Ironside pleaded with God, “Dear Jesus, would you kindly send this young man some challenges and problems?”

The student, supposing that Ironside had missed his request again again, spoke louder this time.

To which Ironside said, “Do you not comprehend that troubles and issues are what generate the patience?”

God knows that the crucible of testing and trial is the ideal environment for transforming us into the likeness of Jesus.
Can you handle the truth?

5. When we’re in pain, we turn to God for insight.

If you find yourself in a difficult situation and are at a loss as to how to cope, pray for guidance from on high.
He insists on providing a response.

Those of you who feel they are lacking in discernment should pray for it, because God gives freely and without reproach to everyone who ask.
(James 1:5)

Which wisdom?
The wisest responses to life’s challenges are those that recognize and celebrate the positives.

6. When our faith and belief are on the fence, it’s tough to be joyful even in the midst of suffering.

But you must believe and not doubt when you ask [for wisdom], for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
The Lord will not bless such person in any way.
A person with such a character flaw is inconsistent and vacillating in their actions.
(James 1:6-8)

Too many of us question God’s sufficiency while we’re going through tough times.
Will He meet my needs for faith, or not?
Can I trust Him to carry me through this?
Should I bother?

Never once does James insist that we have complete clarity about God’s plan for our life.
Knowing that God is behind everything is enough.

So we make the faith-based declaration, “I will trust Him.
No matter how difficult things become, I will never turn away from Him because He is my God.
That choice is final.
It’s a one-time thing; you never have to make it again.

If we can’t tell the difference between things that last forever and those that just fade away, we’ll never understand why we have to go through hard times. Unfortunately, a member of our church had to watch as his home was destroyed in a fire. Standing on the curb, I saw the house burn to the ground.
They were completely wiped off. The father and his children were standing next to me on the sidewalk, yelling obscenities at the sky, the firefighters, their insurance company, the police, and anybody else they could think of.

When I learned of the Holocaust, I asked myself, “What do I have to lose if my home were destroyed?”
What would I be left with if I lost everything tomorrow, either my goods or my health?