Pain as a path to Love

by Ronan

It has often been noted that painful experiences in life can bring you closer to God. This could explain why the faith seems so much stronger in developing countries than in the West. “Pain leads man to thought, thought leads man to wisdom, wisdom brings man happiness with God.” So in our modern world, where many turn towards faith for solace, is it true to say that a better relationship with God means a happy life?…I think not.

A better relationship with God will lead to contentment and a soul at peace with itself….but not neccessarily with the World. Many learned men and women have commented on this strange effect…but is it not to be expected.

The image of Jesus crying because of suffering in the World has existed for some time and so when our relationship with God reaches a certain stage it seems perfectly natural that we may begin to feel the pain of those suffering brothers and sisters around the world.

Before we can know God we must open our hearts to God and His creation. In doing so we become more aware of the glory of creation….but our open hearts mean empathy. Since the time of Christ holy men and women have struggled with the pain of others. When we fully acknowledge God as our father we see more clearly the link between us and our fellow man….This can be painful but this can help explain the wisdom and understanding amongst those of faith which leads to the establishment of Goal, Trocaire and the likes.

Charitable love (caritas) in the Christian sense is less about theology and more about the heart. We see others in trouble and our hearts fall…this is not only natural…..this is the presence of God in our own souls.

Remember that it was Jesus’ act of suffering on the Cross that brought man closer to God and it was Jesus’ time on Earth as a man (and pain is a central part of being human) that brought man a better understanding of God.

Apart from anything else though, pain is the real fertilizer for human growth. The more pain we experience in life the better we understand a certain group in society. Thus, through pain we grow in wisdom and love of God and His creation.

Some see it that we are not faced with experiences we can’t handle….but like a flight of steps we progress onto the next experience. What we find painful today would have been impossible for us to deal with yesterday…and what hurt us yesterday is not a problem for us today.

This can help explain why those addicted to alcohol or drugs can face a point in their lives filled with depression. This, because these substances are weel known to dull emotional pain and so they miss the opertunity to grow form their experiences. Then they’re faced with the next step in this emotional flight and what do you know…they’re not equiped to deal with it.

When asked in amazement how they survived such times of hardships many will find themselves stuck for words. “I had just to” is the usual response. The truth is they grew emotionally and were strenghthened by past experiences. There may be suffering in the world but there is an argument that says that God would not allow personal sufferings unless He felt you were up to the task.

“I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much” - Mother Teresa

So remember the silver lining.