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Pain Comes from Repenting
Why is there suffering when God is good? That has been a question as long as there have been questions about life. Theories espouse many possible answers, and many of those answers are both satisfactory while yet espousing more questions. I would like to suggest another explanation for the Problem of Pain based upon a sound theology – Not only does sin cause pain, but pain is also caused by repentance.
Listen to the words of the following song (A Broken Spirit):
A broken spirit and a contrite heart you will not despise, You will not despise.
You desire truth in the inward parts; a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
Lord, my heart is prone to wander, prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for your courts above.
Now this song is nothing complicated nor long. And yet it speaks a powerful truth. We are broken and brokenness is what we bring to God. Not only does sin cause pain, but pain is also caused by repentance when we recognize the pain we’ve caused to God and others, including ourselves. Only then can God heal.
Acts 2:37-39 (CSB) 37) When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39) For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
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