01/07/2025
The problem of pain
Pain is one of life’s greatest mysteries—its presence can feel unbearable, its purpose incomprehensible. I remember wrestling with these thoughts during a particularly difficult season, when suffering seemed to overshadow everything else. That’s when I turned to C.S. Lewis’s The Problem of Pain, and it felt like someone was finally putting words to the questions I didn’t even know how to ask.
Lewis doesn’t diminish pain or offer simple platitudes. Instead, he dives headfirst into the deep, often uncomfortable questions about why we suffer and how pain fits into the larger story of existence. His reflections are both intellectually profound and deeply human, offering perspectives that challenge and comfort in equal measure:
1. The Necessity of Free Will
Lewis begins with the argument that true love and moral goodness are only possible in a world where free will exists. Genuine freedom allows us to choose between good and evil, and this freedom inherently carries the possibility of harm. If humans were merely programmed to always act righteously, they would lack the capacity for authentic love, creativity, and moral decision-making. Pain, therefore, is not a flaw in creation but an unavoidable result of a meaningful existence. This perspective forces us to grapple with the tension between freedom and suffering. While it may be unsettling to accept that our ability to harm and be harmed is tied to our capacity for love and growth, it also highlights the dignity and responsibility of being human. For me, this insight has reshaped how I view the world’s brokenness—not as evidence of divine indifference but as a byproduct of a profound gift.
2. Pain as a Catalyst for Growth
Lewis challenges the common perception of pain as purely destructive. Instead, he presents it as a tool for awakening and transformation. Physical pain alerts us to injury or illness, and in a similar way, emotional and spiritual pain can point us toward areas in our lives that need attention or change. Pain disrupts our complacency, forcing us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves, our relationships, and our priorities. Reflecting on this has been deeply personal for me. Times of significant pain—whether from loss, failure, or betrayal—have often been the moments that led to the most profound growth. Lewis’s insight helped me see that pain, while agonizing in the moment, can act as a refining fire, shaping us into stronger, more empathetic, and more aware individuals.
3. Suffering as a Divine Teacher
Lewis suggests that God uses suffering not as a punishment but as a means of teaching and guiding us. When life is filled with comfort and pleasure, we may become self-sufficient, distracted, or detached from deeper spiritual realities. Pain has a way of breaking down our illusions of control and exposing our need for grace, connection, and purpose. This idea resonated with me on a profound level. I’ve experienced seasons of life where suffering became a gateway to deeper spiritual insight. While it’s difficult to see any purpose in pain while enduring it, in hindsight, those experiences often felt like invitations to reexamine my values, let go of ego, and embrace vulnerability.
4. The Redemptive Potential of Suffering
Lewis draws from Christian theology to suggest that suffering can have redemptive meaning. He reflects on Christ’s suffering as an act of ultimate transformation and salvation, pointing to how human pain can also lead to profound renewal and purpose. This doesn’t imply that suffering is inherently good, but that even in its darkness, it can produce light. For me, this concept offers both comfort and challenge. It’s comforting to think that suffering isn’t meaningless, that it can be part of a greater narrative of healing or redemption. But it’s also challenging because it requires faith and a willingness to endure discomfort without fully understanding its purpose in the moment.
5. Acknowledging the Mystery of Suffering
While Lewis provides thoughtful insights into the problem of pain, he is careful to acknowledge that suffering is, in many ways, a mystery. There are limits to human understanding, and some aspects of pain may be beyond our capacity to grasp fully. Lewis urges readers to embrace intellectual humility and trust that our perspective is not the whole picture. This humility is perhaps the most poignant takeaway for me. It’s a reminder that not every question will have an answer in this life, and that’s okay. Learning to sit with uncertainty—without becoming bitter or despairing—has been one of the hardest but most valuable lessons I’ve encountered.
This book is a companion for anyone grappling with the "why" behind their struggles. It doesn’t promise easy answers, but it offers hope—a reminder that even in our deepest pain, there is meaning to be found and a God who understands our suffering. If you’ve ever found yourself searching for purpose in the midst of hardship, this book is a light for the journey.
BOOK: https://amzn.to/4hjSf39
