What causes pain? - Pain - TouchPoints

Genesis 3:16-19Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. . . .” And to the man he said, “. . . All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from [the ground]. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.”

Until this moment of announced consequences for sin, there is no evidence that pain was part of human experience. The term “sharpen,” however, might hint that pain was in God’s original design. After Adam and Eve sinned, pain became a significantly greater part of their life experience, from the pain of bringing life into the world to the pain of living life in the world. Their fall into sin added complications to every dimension of their human experience and every part of the created order.

Psalm 32:3-4When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

James 4:9Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.

Pain serves as a warning mechanism to tell us something is wrong. When we fail to acknowledge our role in wrongdoing, guilt and shame can set in motion escalating pain. Our pain is not always caused by wrongdoing, but our wrongdoing always causes pain, sooner or later.

Lamentations 1:12Does it mean nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see if there is any suffering like mine, which the Lord brought on me when he erupted in fierce anger.

Jeremiah’s deep grief over the judgment on Judah led him to feel like he was suffering like no other. We can identify with his feelings in those moments when our pain feels uniquely hard. This is particularly true when we experience pain as a result of the actions of others. The consequences of sin often cause suffering for those who were not the direct perpetrators.

Genesis 4:8One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

Amos 1:6This is what the Lord says: “The people of Gaza have sinned again and again, and I will not let them go unpunished!”

Once death entered the created order because of Adam and Eve’s sin, it was only a matter of time before a human caused pain to another to the point of death. God’s gracious warning to Cain (Genesis 4:6-7) was meant to keep him from spiritual, emotional, and physical pain. God’s commands to us have the same purpose. Breaking these commands (or sinning) is choosing to step out of the protection of God’s law. Sin always has painful consequences, not only for those who sin, but also for everyone around them.

Job 2:6-7“All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.

Luke 13:16“This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn’t it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?”

2 Corinthians 12:7So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me.

1 Peter 5:8Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Satan’s activity causes pain because his purpose is to get you to sin. His goal is to trick you into thinking that sin will relieve your pain or allow you to avoid pain, but just the opposite happens. Falling prey to Satan’s attacks and lies or giving in to his temptations will always cause pain for you and everyone around you.

Exodus 1:10-11So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.

Exodus 21:28-29“If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable. But suppose the ox had a reputation for goring, and the owner had been informed but failed to keep it under control. If the ox then kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be put to death.”

Proverbs 10:26Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

Luke 13:1-5About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

The sin, irresponsibility, or oppression of others can cause us pain. Often their mistakes and choices bring about negative circumstances that affect us but are not our fault. A significant amount of pain in this life if not brought on by our own actions, though we can also be guilty of causing significant pain to others.

Exodus 9:11Even the magicians were unable to stand before Moses, because the boils had broken out on them and all the Egyptians.

Numbers 12:10-11As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. When Aaron saw what had happened to her, he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed.”

2 Chronicles 26:19-20Uzziah, who was holding an incense burner, became furious. But as he was standing there raging at the priests before the incense altar in the Lord’s Temple, leprosy suddenly broke out on his forehead. When Azariah the high priest and all the other priests saw the leprosy, they rushed him out. And the king himself was eager to get out because the Lord had struck him.

Psalm 38:3-5Because of your anger, my whole body is sick; my health is broken because of my sins. My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear. My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins.

Acts 12:23Instantly, an angel of the Lord struck Herod with a sickness, because he accepted the people’s worship instead of giving the glory to God. So he was consumed with worms and died.

Acts 13:11“Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

God’s judgment of sin can cause pain. Although God will always forgive us if you ask, our sinful actions can have lasting consequences that we must endure. These consequences are usually difficult and painful.

Ecclesiastes 8:9I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other.

The same relational mechanisms and human needs that allow us to do wonderful things for each other can also be the means for causing great harm to one another. Relationships that sour can be painful.

1 Samuel 23:12-13Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?” And the Lord replied, “Yes, they will betray you.”

Psalm 55:12-14, 20It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend. What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God. . . . As for my companion, he betrayed his friends; he broke his promises.

Matthew 26:23-24He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me.”

John 6:64-71At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

Betrayal is a painful reminder that the same vulnerability that initiates and strengthens friendships also leaves us open for deep injury.

Psalm 64:3-4They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly.

Proverbs 12:18-19Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

Proverbs 18:8Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart.

Proverbs 25:18Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

James 3:5-6The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

Hurtful words are painful. Often a wounded heart takes longer to heal than a wounded body. Unfortunately, when a wounded heart does not heal properly, it can itself turn to hurt others.

Job 1:14-22While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” Job stood up and tore his robe in grief.

The loss of someone or something that you love is always painful. We often don’t realize the depth of our healthy (or unhealthy) connection with others until we experience their loss.

Proverbs 25:20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.

Ignoring another’s pain or responding to other’s pain inappropriately causes more pain.

Lamentations 2:11I have cried until the tears no longer come; my heart is broken. My spirit is poured out in agony as I see the desperate plight of my people. Little children and tiny babies are fainting and dying in the streets.

1 Corinthians 12:26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

Jeremiah internalized the pain of his demoralized, defeated, and destroyed nation. The healthy body of Christ, said Paul, is affected throughout when any member suffers. The suffering of others brings us pain.

Ecclesiastes 2:20, 22-23So I gave up in despair, questioning the value of all my hard work in this world. . . . So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety? Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest. It is all meaningless.

Seeking satisfaction from any source other than God causes pain. Only the peace that comes from walking with God can soothe your pain. Anything else will eventually deepen it.

Hebrews 12:11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

Discipline can be painful. In this sense, pain can be beneficial. It can stop us from continuing to do something harmful and point us in the direction of good and beneficial actions.

Luke 11:45“Teacher,” said an expert in religious law, “you have insulted us, too, in what you just said.”

Convicting truth can be painful. When our sins are being exposed, we need to listen and learn from the pain. Taking offense at the pain will only cover the underlying sin that needs to be addressed.

1 Samuel 20:34Jonathan left the table in fierce anger and refused to eat on that second day of the festival, for he was crushed by his father’s shameful behavior toward David.

Proverbs 17:21It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

Ungodly relatives can cause us pain, even our parents and children. Disappointment runs especially deep when people we expect to be our mentors or leaders violate the trust we place in them.

Psalm 15:4Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.

Keeping promises and doing the right thing can be painful.

Hosea 1:2, 3:1When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.” . . . Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.”

Hebrews 5:8Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

Sometimes even obedience can be painful. Suffering can be an effective teacher.