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Thoughts from Charles Spurgeon on Chronic Pain

Dear Friends,

Life is not always easy. Things come our way that inflict pain and wound the heart. Sickness can steal away our energy and strength for a time – though it is more difficult when it is chronic. My father was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 43 and struggled with its effects until he passed away at 85 – being told close to that time that his physical body was like that of a 110-year-old. Being in constant pain earned him the occasional nick-name, “Grumpy Grampy.” I could understand why. Pain is no fun. I’m not the easiest to be around when I’m in constant pain either. And as John Owen once pointed out, “It is not the intensity of the trial, but its longevity, that eats away at our resolve.”



Therefore, if you are struggling in this area (or know someone who is), today I offer you some helpful words from Charles Spurgeon. Yet, it helps to point out he was not giving advice as one who did not himself struggle. He battled much of his life with depression, stress, and chronic pain - oftentimes debilitating pain. His words, then, come from a fellow pilgrim walking down a long path which included suffering. These two entries are found in “Beside Still Waters – Words of Comfort for the Soul.” Enjoy.

Heaven's Favorites. Hebrews 12:5
Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11: 5). They were three of his special favorites, and thus he sent them an extraordinary trial (John 11:1). When a dealer in precious gems finds a stone of minimum value, little time is spent cutting it. But when a rare diamond is found that stone will be cut, and cut, and cut again. When the Lord finds a saint whom He loves much, He may spare others trial and trouble, but not this one, His well-beloved. The more Jesus loves you, the more of the rod you will feel (Heb. 12:5-6). It is painful to be a favorite of heaven but rejoice in it.


Being in the King’s council-chamber involves such work for faith that flesh and blood might cringe from the painful blessing. If a gardener gets an inferior tree, he lets it grow wild and takes whatever fruit it produces. But if the tree is exceptional, he will want every branch in its proper place, and he will prune and cut here and cut there because this produces more fruit. The gardener leaves nothing on the tree that would be detrimental.

You who are God's favorites must not be astonished when trials appear. Rather keep your door open wide, and when trials come say, “Welcome messenger of the King! The sound of your Master's feet is behind you. You are welcome, for my Master has sent you.”



Let Us Have Grace. Hebrews 12:28
“If you are called to endure great affliction, sharp pain, and frequent sickness, if business goes amiss, if riches take wings and fly away, if friends forsake you, if foes surround you, be of good courage, for God will never forsake you. Accept your father's will. Rejoice that you have such a Father's will to bear.

If grace cannot enable you to endure all that nature can heap on you, what is grace worth? “Let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12:28 KJV). Dear believer, the time to see if your faith is real is in the floods of adversity. Mere 'sunshine faith' is not worth having. We want a faith that will outlive the most terrible storms that ever clouded heaven.



Even though heart and flesh fail, even though eyes grow dim and the light of day is shut out, even though hearing fails and the music is silent, even though the doors of the senses close, even though the body totters and the keeper of the house trembles, trust in the Lord (Eccles. 12:2-7). Yes, even though death itself removes this feeble body, there is no cause to fear. Be of good courage. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Wait on the Lord and your courage will be revived.



The Lord has promised He is sufficient for every trial. He is able to carry us and help us bear up under any circumstances. Yet, it is important to know that He does so by offering us Himself, and His presence, and the assistance of His grace, as we look to Him in faith and trust in His promises. We do not always get what we want, but we will surely get Him – our soul’s great reward.

Living in His All-sufficient Grace, Pastor Jeff

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