We Are Tempted by This When We Face Physical Pain

Jesus endured unspeakable physical pain. And His physical suffering speaks into our lives today. Some of us have experienced physical pain inflicted by another person. It’s a terrible thing.

Most of us have experienced physical pain at some point in our lives, perhaps through an accident, or an illness, or even through an ongoing condition—you live with pain. Some of us have never experienced anything like this, but one day you will. Physical pain is a part of life.

If you’ve ever sat at the bedside of someone who was in real physical pain, maybe a friend or a family member, then you know how helpless that feels. Those of you who are doctors or nurses, or who are in the helping professions, know exactly what this is like.

When you experience physical pain, you may be tempted like Job’s wife was. When she was in the agony of grief and loss, she said to Job, “Curse God and die” (Job 2:9).

If you are in great pain, you may find within yourself an antagonism toward God that you did not see before. And Jesus is saying to us, “Don’t go there. Don’t go there.” The Lord Jesus Christ comes to us in our physical pain, and He says, “I’ve been there, and I will be your comfort, your direction, and your strength.”

What is the greatest physical pain you have ever endured?