I have often looked gratefully back to my sick chamber. I am certain that I never did grow in grace one-half so much anywhere as I have upon the bed of pain.
Rhodes, Ron. 1001 Unforgettable Quotes About God, Faith, and the Bible. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers, 2011.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), pastor, New Park Street Chapel, London
Bible Truth Behind the Quote:
The psalmist affirmed, “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:71).
COMMENTS
As I read the article posted below yesterday, entitled Did God ever promise us a way out of pain and grief I thought of all the times I have looked at and posted on this subject over the last 20 years. Still, it never ceases to amaze me that with all the technology (online resources, free correspondence, etc.) available, folks are still fooled into believing a false gospel. Just have enough faith, and God will…, or send in $$$, and you will receive a prayer cloth, oil, and an abundance of blessings. These charlatans prey upon those in pain, those suffering, by promising them instant relief. God does not operate like the old Alka-Seltzer ad: take two, and what a relief it is.
First, let me reiterate: Can God heal anyone from anything? Yes. Can God remove all suffering from anyone at any time? Yes. As the true omnipotent God ruler of the universe, God has complete authority, knowledge, and presence in all creation. There is nothing He can not do. Is it proper to ask God to relieve our pain and suffering and that of others? Yes, through prayers and supplications. Is God required to answer those prayers and supplications in a manner we want? NO! God does all things for His glory, not ours.
Below, I have listed a few studies and articles that explain the Biblical View (the only one that should concern true Christians) on Grief, Mourning, Pain and Suffering. I hope they help us better understand these topics and prove useful to everyone in defending the faith against those who would twist God’s Holy Word.
STUDY
Grief. Emotional suffering brought on by bereavement, mishap, or disaster. To grieve is either to cause or feel sorrow or distress. The concept is found in the Scriptures under a variety of circumstances. Isaac and Rebekah experienced grief when their son Esau married a Hittite woman (Gn 26:35 KJV). God mourned the misery of Israel brought upon them by disobedience (Jgs 10:16 KJV). Hannah was so sad because she had no son that she appeared to be drunk while praying (1 Sm 1:16 KJV). Similarly, Samuel, distraught at King Saul’s disobedience, prayed all night. Job was exceedingly sorrowful over his personal loss (Jb 2:13; cf. 6:2; 16:6), and the psalmist poetically demonstrated distress and sorrow (cf. Pss 6:7; 31:9, 10; 69:26 KJV; 73:21 KJV; 95:10 KJV; 112:10 KJV). The Book of Lamentations is devoted to the expression of grief, and the prophets in general speak of judgment because Israel had grieved a holy God.
Jesus experienced sorrow and distress (Mk 3:5; Jn 11:33), including the death of a friend (Jn 11:35). The Jews are said to have been grieved as the apostles taught about Christ (Acts 4:2 KJV). The apostle Paul instructed believers not to grieve one another (Rom 14:15 KJV) and did not want to cause any sorrow himself (2 Cor 2:1–5 KJV). Most of all, the believer is not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30). A believer may, of course, suffer grief and suffering in an alien world (1 Pt 2:19 KJV). In Bible times grief was given particular expression at a time of death by means of shrieks, wails, and laments (cf. Jer 9:17, 18; Am 5:16; Mk 5:38).
Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, “Grief,” in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988), 904.
Mourning – The expression of grief at a time of bereavement or repentance, often accompanied by weeping, tearing of clothes, and wearing sackcloth. [Although most treat Grief and Mourning as two completely different emotions or expressions, the Bible makes it clear they are linked, as Mourning is the outward expression of our internal grief.]
Regulations for the mourning of priests after bereavement Lev 21:1-4,10-11
Mourning of God’s people after bereavement Israel for Aaron Nu 20:29
Israel for Moses Dt 34:8
David for Saul and Jonathan 2Sa 1:11-12 See also 2Sa 1:17-27
David for Absalom 2Sa 18:33
Job for his children Job 1:20-21
Other examples See also Ge 37:34-35; 50:11; 2Sa 13:31; 14:2; 2Ch 35:23-25; Mt 2:18; Jn 11:31,33; Ac 8:2
Examples of heathen mourning after bereavement Isa 15:2-3; Jer 47:5; 48:37; Eze 27:30-32
Mourning as an expression of repentance Ex 33:4; Ezr 9:3-6
Mourning because of misfortune 2Sa 13:9; Job 2:12-13
The employment of professional mourners Jer 9:17-18; Am 5:16; Mt 9:23 pp Mk 5:39 pp Lk 8:52
Mourning spoken of metaphorically Jer 7:29 See also Isa 3:18-24; Eze 7:18; Joel 1:8; Am 8:10; Mic 1:16
As a sign of repentance for sin, Joel 2:12-13 See also Isa 22:12
Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
Pain. A sense of physical suffering, anguish, or distress, which has a number of causes. Scripture indicates the sources of pain and its potential spiritual implications and results.
Pain is universal. Ro 8:22 See also Ge 3:16-17; Job 5:7
The origins of pain
Satanic activity. Ge 3:15 See also Job 1:12; 2:6-7; Lk 13:16; 2Co 12:7
Human activity Ps 37:14 See also Ge 4:8; Ex 1:10-11; Na 3:1-4; Hab 2:6,8,10,12
God’s judgment and glory Jn 9:2-3 See also Ex 9:11; Nu 12:10-11; 2Ch 26:19-20; Ps 38:3-5; Pr 5:11; Ac 12:23; 13:11; 2Co 12:9
Kinds of pain
Physical pain Ps 38:7 See also Job 30:17; Mt 10:28; Lk 23:33; 2Co 4:16-18; 11:23-27
Mental pain Jer 15:18 See also Ps 42:5-6,11; Jer 12:6; Mt 26:38; 2Co 2:13; 2Pe 2:8
Bereavement Jn 11:33-35 See also Ge 35:18; 50:1; 2Sa 12:22-23; Php 2:27; 1Th 4:13
Spiritual pain
Conviction of sin Jn 16:8 See also Ps 32:3-5; 51:1-2; Lk 7:38; Ac 26:14
The anguish of hell Mk 9:47-48 See also Mt 5:22; 8:12; Lk 13:28; Rev 6:16
Perplexity Isa 50:10 See also Job 23:8-9; Ps 22:1; 88:1-3; Jer 20:7
Concern for others Gal 4:19 See also Ac 20:19; 2Co 2:1-5; 11:28; Php 3:18; Col 1:28-2:1; Heb 5:7
The failure of others Mt 26:56 See also Mt 26:40; Jn 13:21; Gal 4:16; 2Ti 4:10,16; 3Jn 10
Fruitful results of pain
It draws believers to God 1Pe 4:19 See also Jn 14:1,18; Ro 8:26; 2Co 7:5-6; Heb 4:15-16; 5:8
It equips believers to help others 2Co 1:4 See also Ro 5:3-5; 12:15; Heb 2:18; 12:11
It helps believers to anticipate the resurrection 1Co 15:54-57 See also Ro 8:19; 2Co 4:17; 1Th 4:14
It points believers to heaven Rev 21:4 See also Ro 8:18; Rev 7:15-17
Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
suffering. The experience of pain or distress, both physical and emotional. Scripture is thoroughly realistic about the place of suffering in the world and in the lives of believers. To become a Christian is not to escape from suffering, but to be able to bear suffering with dignity and hope.
suffering, nature of. Since the fall, human beings have suffered in various ways. Scripture provides insights into the nature and place of suffering both in the world and in the lives of believers.
Suffering began with the fall. Ge 2:17; 3:16-19; Ro 5:12
Suffering is universal. Job 5:7; 14:1
Different kinds of suffering. Physical pain and illness Ge 48:1 See also 2Ki 20:1 pp 2Ch 32:24 pp Isa 38:1; Job 2:7; Ps 42:10; Mt 8:6; 17:15; Lk 4:38; Ac 28:8; 2Ti 4:20; Jas 5:14
Emotional stress. Ps 55:4-5 See also Ge 35:18 “Ben-Oni” means “son of my trouble”; Pr 12:25; Jn 11:32-35; Php 2:27
Spiritual suffering. Ps 22:1 See also Mt 27:46 pp Mk 15:34
The prospect of death. Ge 3:19 See also Ecc 12:7
Major causes of suffering.The disorder in creation Ge 3:17 See also Ge 12:10; Joel 1:4; Mt 24:7 pp Lk 21:11; Ro 8:22; Rev 11:13
Human cruelty Ps 54:3; Murder: Ge 4:8; Ex 1:16,22; 1Ki 21:19; Mt 2:16
Ge 49:5-7; Oppression: Ex 1:11; Am 2:6-7; 4:1; Mal 3:5; 2Ki 6:25; 19:17 warfare; 2Ch 10:13-14; Job 1:14-15,17; Am 1:3,13; Jas 5:4-6; Rev 6:4
Family troubles Ps 27:10 See also 1Sa 1:7; 2Sa 16:11; Job 19:14-19; Mal 2:14; Mt 10:36; Jas 1:27
Old age Ps 71:9 See also Ecc 12:1-7
Satan’s activity 1Jn 5:19 See also Job 1:12; 2:6-7; Lk 13:16; 2Co 12:7; Rev 2:10; 20:7-8
Aggravations to suffering Memories Job 29:2
Fears Job 3:25; Heb 2:15
Resentment Job 2:9
Sin and suffering are not necessarily related. Jn 9:3. See also Job 2:3; Lk 13:2
They are sometimes closely related Ro 1:18 See also Ge 6:5-7; Nu 14:33; Dt 28:15; Ps 107:17; Eze 23:49; Ac 5:5,10; Ro 1:27; 1Co 11:29-30; Jude 7; Rev 2:22
God’s final judgment Mt 25:41 See also Da 12:2; Mt 8:12; Mk 9:48; Isa 66:24; Rev 20:15
Effects of suffering Hardness of heart Rev 16:9 See also Ex 7:22; Rev 9:20-21
Repentance 2Ch 33:12; Lk 15:17-18
Blessing Ps 119:71 See also Isa 38:17
Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
The True Ministry of Pain
(J. R. Miller, “In Green Pastures”)
There is a Christian art of enduring pain, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission to us, than to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get something of spiritual blessing out of it.
Pain brings to us some message from God, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God’s face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer. Pain is furnace-fire, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way–to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.
The first lesson in the school of tribulation!
ARTICLES
Did God ever promise us a way out of pain and grief?
By Mark Creech, Op-ed Contributor Wednesday, June 10, 2026
[Excerpt] …Certainly, Scripture teaches that God works all things together for good to those who love Him. It teaches that suffering is never meaningless. It teaches that our trials are under the sovereign hand of a perfectly good and benevolent God.
But where does Scripture promise that every faithful believer will eventually experience some earthly form of restoration?
Consider the testimony of God’s Word…
Continued @ Source
A Manipulative Insult To God’s Nature: The Prosperity Gospel Is One Of The Most Dangerous Theological Ideas In The World
Despite its promises of health, wealth, and happiness, the prosperity gospel sells a bankrupt gospel.
You can hardly watch a Christian television network without seeing preachers in expensive suits proclaiming God’s desire to bless the audience with financial and physical security. Their message goes by various names: the health and wealth gospel, the word of faith movement, seed faith, and “name it and claim it” Christianity. But perhaps it’s best known as the prosperity gospel. I should know—at one time, I was right in the middle of it…
CONTINUED @ SOURCE
FSM and FSMMWO’s Comfort for the Grieving, Hurting, and Dying Series
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