True story. When I was in elementary school, I had a classmate who had a very rare and extremely dangerous condition called “Congenital Insensitivity to Pain and Anhidrosis” (CIPA). In layman’s terms, he couldn’t feel pain.
Just to give you an idea as to how rare CIPA is, according to a recent study done by the University of Hawaii there are currently less than 300 people in the world who have this same condition where their bodies’ pain-sensing nerves do not transmit to their brain. In the world of bizarre probabilities, it is more likely for a person to win an Olympic gold medal and then die of exposure to hot tap water than to be born with CIPA.
At first blush, some might think, “What’s the big deal?” “It would be wonderful to never feel the sensation of physical pain.” But without pain, there is no warning of trouble. Feeling pain is the God-designed way that our body informs us that something is wrong. It’s scary to think that there are people who could touch a hot stove and not realize their body was in danger.
One day when we were all sitting at the lunch table, I remember my friend saying to me and the other students, “You guys are so lucky. You get to feel pain.” His unique perspective on the value of pain has stayed with me my whole life.
The Reality of Pain
Most of us have had our fair share of encounters with physical pain. When a part of our body hurts or aches, it serves as an internal alert system to seek assistance or treatment from a physician. Thinking back on my lifetime, I have had my fair share of injuries and painful episodes. Off the top of my head, I’ve had kidney stones, broken bones, pulled muscles, nerve pain, frozen shoulder, and tooth pain. If you add to the list my various encounters with joint pain, chest pain, and concussion induced headaches, I’m more than familiar with the concept.
But my most recent struggle with pain has come from my back. Off and on for the past ten years or so, I have intermittently struggled with some pretty intense, almost debilitating back pain. Each time I have a new extended flare up, I begin to wonder if this is going to be my new normal? I ask myself, what if this time the pain doesn’t eventually go away? What am I going to do then?
The prospect of dealing with long-term chronic pain is not something that anyone wants to entertain. But what if it becomes my reality like it is for so many others? What if one day I can no longer do the things that I once enjoyed? What if I can no longer go for walks with my wife? Or mow the grass? Or play with my grandkids? Or, worse yet, what if I can’t preach, or fulfill the requirements and rigors of the pastorate? What then?
I’m already several months into this most recent episode and unfortunately, I feel like the pain is getting worse, not better. Because of that, my list of “What ifs?” is getting longer.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly no expert on this subject. My journey with back pain has been relatively short and manageable, but others are not so fortunate. Perhaps you, or someone you love and/or care about, is also dealing with chronic pain. If so, while this subject is very fresh on my mind, I’d like to offer a few words of hope, encouragement, and perspective.
Trust
As a child of God, it is so comforting to know that He is sovereignly in control over every aspect of our lives (Psalm 103:19) and He is intricately working all things in accordance with His will (Ephesians 1:11). That includes our dealing with difficulty and even pain.
As God continues to conform us into the image of His Son (who suffered immensely and died on our behalf) we are to be faithful and content in our circumstances (Romans 8:29; Philippians 4:11) and unconditionally trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). What a blessing it is that we can “cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for us” (I Peter 5:7).
Patience
If we are not careful and prayerful, chronic pain can bring with it impatience, anger and even depression. But for many folks, pain has a way of slowing everything down—in a good way. So rather than causing frustration, we can instead have a renewed appreciation for the things we once took for granted (Proverbs 14:29; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 4:2).
Empathy
My issues pale in comparison with what others are going through. But the little taste of chronic pain that I have had to deal with gives me a greater appreciation for the plight of others. It is good for us to be sensitive to the feelings and thoughts of others (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:2-3). It helps us to better encourage them and serve them (I Thessalonians 5:11).
Joy
While it sounds counterintuitive, dealing with pain and difficulty is good for us. We are even to “consider it all joy when we encounter various trials” (James 1:2-4; I Thessalonians 5:16-18). Why? Because it produces an endurance in us that we need. Lest we forget, God is sovereignly “causing all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
So, for the vast majority of us, experiencing and managing pain is a part of this life. But the great promise for the Christian is this life is only temporary (Romans 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18). One day yet future, when we enter the glories of heaven, there will be no more pain, no more disease, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). One day, in a weird sort of way, all the redeemed will have our own form of CIPA. And what a glorious day that will be!