We don’t talk about suffering nearly enough. Not just the kind we see in the world, but the kind that quietly lives inside us—grief that lingers, pain that returns without warning, moments when it feels like hope has slipped through our fingers. Each of us, in our own way, encounters sorrow. And as Christians, that sorrow often comes with questions that feel too heavy to carry alone: Why does a loving God allow such pain? Where is He when we’re hurting? I recently came across a profound reflection by Dr. Rick Cantrell, titled Christian Psychology and Suffering. His writing resonated deeply with me—not just as a physician or a believer, but as someone who has walked alongside others in their darkest hours. His approach brings together biblical truth and psychological insight to offer something far more valuable than easy answers: it offers a faithful and honest pathway through the reality of human pain. Dr. Cantrell reminds us that suffering began with the Fall. Pain and brokenness were never part of the garden—never part of God’s original design. And yet, since that moment, they’ve become woven into every human story. What comforts me, and what his work so beautifully underscores, is that Scripture doesn’t avoid this truth. It engages with it head-on. The psalmist cries out, “Why have you forsaken me?”—words that Jesus Himself echoed on the cross. The Bible doesn’t minimize suffering; it meets it with compassion and purpose. For those of us asking how to live with pain, Christ is not a distant figure. He is the suffering servant, acquainted with grief, betrayed and beaten, yet full of grace. His path wasn’t one of avoidance but of endurance—trusting the Father even when everything seemed lost. And this is where Christian psychology brings healing clarity: Jesus doesn’t just offer us comfort after the storm; He enters into it with us. Our pain is never meaningless in His presence. It becomes a place where grace can grow. Dr. Cantrell also points to the wisdom we find in psychological research, and how it aligns with Scripture. People who find meaning in suffering tend to endure it with greater resilience. That reminds me of the promise in Romans 8:28—“all things work together for good for those who love God.” It’s not about pretending things are good when they aren’t. It’s about trusting that nothing we walk through is wasted. Our faith, when tested, produces perseverance. And in that perseverance, we are shaped more fully into who God has called us to be. We also know from both Scripture and psychology that connection is essential. Isolation deepens pain. But walking with others, carrying each other’s burdens, is part of the healing process. That’s why practical steps like small support groups, pastoral counseling, or even the simple act of journaling our prayers and praises can make a profound difference. Dr. Cantrell highlights how these spiritual disciplines—when paired with therapeutic tools—bring care to the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. As someone who walks with many people in the final season of their lives, I’ve come to believe this deeply: suffering is sacred ground. Not because it’s good, but because it invites us to lean wholly into God. It reveals what’s eternal. It strips away the false comforts and brings us face to face with the one Comforter who will never leave us. If you are carrying something heavy right now, I want to gently remind you: you are not forgotten. You are not alone. And you are not broken beyond repair. There is a redemptive thread being woven through your story, even if you can’t yet see it. Jesus meets us in our grief, walks with us through it, and promises us that one day—one glorious day—He will wipe away every tear.
With all my heart & here for you,
Dr. Pamela
