Drawing Close to God Through Chronic Pain

It’s estimated that in 2018-19, 20.5 percent of the world’s population was affected by some type of chronic pain, 50 million people in the U.S. alone. The National Institutes of Health report that in any given year approximately 8 percent of the population suffers from high-impact chronic pain, or pain that lasts for longer than 3 months and restricts activity. That means most of us probably know someone who is dealing with an infirmity.

This near constant pain brings many challenges, including staying strong in our faith. When pain persists and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight, it can be so hard to keep our eye on Christ and to rest in His love. So what are some ways that those living with chronic pain can keep their focus on God? What are some good Scriptures to remember, or teachings to study?

A Changed Focus

I can personally attest to the impact chronic pain has on the physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual state of a person. Several years ago, I discovered I had Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disease. From before the diagnosis until now, I’ve dealt with some level of discomfort or outright pain every day.

During the first couple of months, I was practically housebound, unable to work or even go to church. Getting up and sitting in one of my living room chairs was about all I could handle. It was during one of those long afternoons alone when I happened to see a show on Christian missionaries and the work they're doing around the world today. In a way, that half hour was a turning point for me.

I believe God used that program to help me change my focus. Up until then I had been, understandably, thinking only about my situation and how I felt. But God wanted to shift my focus outward, to other people and most importantly, to Him. Within a few days I felt led to start lifting up praises each day, sometimes for the smallest of things, like sunshine and warm blankets. But most of all, I was grateful for His presence.

Encouraging Verses for Chronic Pain

I also began to desire God’s Word in a new way. The words of Jeremiah, “Your words were found and I ate them…” (Jeremiah 15:16) and Peter’s call to “long for pure spiritual milk…” (1 Peter 2:2) took on new meaning for me. Scripture became a lifeline, and a compass that navigated me toward Him.

The Bible is brimming with verses that are meant to bring comfort to those who are hurting. Just take a moment to soak in the solace these Psalms offer:

“The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Psalm 27:1).

“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant” (Psalm 119:76).

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

“The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9).

In the early days of my condition, I leaned heavily on verses like those, and they always helped. But as time went on, I found they weren’t enough. The challenge of continuous pain called for a stronger faith and a greater trust in my Heavenly Father than I had. So, I decided to turn to one of my favorite “tough love” teachers in the Bible - the apostle Paul.

I’m sharing four lessons that studying Paul’s writing has taught me about God. They reveal that He holds us close in our greatest times of need, and even more, that He wants to keep us on the path toward Christ-likeness, no matter what we are going through.

1. God Provides Us with His Holy Spirit 

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).

If pain becomes chronic, it begins to affect several areas of the brain. Eventually, every ache seems worse and a sense of anxiety takes hold. When we are in this kind of pain, even praying can seem like a difficult task. We may be seeking God, but in our trouble words seem to fail us. It is such a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit is ready to “stand in the gap.” 

Paul reminds us that the Spirit’s groanings convey to God what we can’t express ourselves, even if we had the most eloquent words. The Holy Spirit ministers to us as well, reassuring us that God is good and His Ways are perfect. If we can hold onto that truth in the moment, we can believe that God will work something good out of our distress later on.

2. God Always Stays Close to Us

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35).

One of the biggest challenges of living with a chronic condition of any kind is battling feelings of isolation. For me, new physical limitations and even a change in diet separated me from my old life, and what my family and friends did. For a while I felt cut off from God as well, unable to sense the close connection I’d felt in other seasons.

It finally dawned on me that I’d been the one to pull away, not Him. Upset, fear and even a dose of anger had built a wall between us. Paul’s words in Romans, coming out of his own experience, proclaim that God never lets us go. We are always securely in the palm of His hand, and He is stronger than any storm that shakes us. As we lean more on Him, our foundation of faith strengthens, and we’ll pay less attention to our momentary feelings.

3. God Wants to Change Us Through our Circumstances

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It’s been studied and proven that a relationship exists between chronic pain and depression. Dealing with constant twinges, spasms and deep aches certainly wore me down. My moods darkened, and my daily attitude soured. Worse, I slowly lost hope and a vision for my future.

Paul often used his own testimony to convince others about God’s goodness. In this passage, he tells of a physical issue that he carried. Though Paul prayed for healing, God had another plan: to display His strength and mighty works through a weak vessel. Following Paul’s example means letting go of how we think things should go, and letting God have control of our situation. Out of that obedience comes a deeper peace in our discomfort, and hope for what is ahead.