Pain and Suffering in the Bible: A “Deep” Perspective
“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” Genesis 1: 2.
This verse marks the beginning of the creation account in the book of Genesis. As I read this verse, it occurred to me that the “waters” or seas in this verse and in the Bible generally represent suffering or pain.
For one thing, the seas are composed of salt water, just like our tears.
Second, in heaven there will be no seas (Revelation 21: 1). And we know there will be no pain or suffering there.
God is Attracted to Pain and Suffering
And third, the Lord was near the seas. This verse tells us His Spirit hovered over the waters. And according to Psalm 34: 18, He’s also near to the brokenhearted.
To read Genesis 1, click here.
His Spirit hovers in the presence of pain and suffering. This is why it can change us in such profound ways. When we are experiencing pain, His Spirit can move mightily in our midst.
Also, note that the sea is called “the deep”. And this is because much of it is indeed very deep physically. But I think there’s also spiritual significance to this moniker.
Pain Makes Us Deep
Pain makes us deep. Somoene who’s suffered a lot is not shallow. He thinks about things extensively. He muses and meditates and mulls over ideas until he has a deep understanding of them.
This is how we gain wisdom. Pain produces wisdom. “The fear of the Lord [obedience, death to sin, needs, self] is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9: 10.
This verse also tells us that darkness was over the face of the deep. That is until the Spirit of God comes and brings light. This is the way it is with pain and suffering too. It’s a place of deep darkness and gloom until the Holy Spirit comes and transforms it.
Until He brings His light and reveals His glory to us and in us. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” Romans 8: 18. In this verse we see a clear connection between suffering and revelation or light.
God’s Mighty Work Begins with Pain
Notice too that God’s awesome creation of the earth began as His Spirit hovered over the seas. God’s mighty, creative, transforming works began with the sea.
In the same way, His mighty, creative, transforming works in our lives begin with pain. It starts with tears.
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” 1 Peter 4: 1.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” James 1:2-4.
We also see the progression from pain and suffering to purity and righteousness in the beatitudes (Mathew 5: 1-12).
To read another post related to Pain and Suffering in the Bible: An Analogy, see What Does It Really Mean to Trust in the Lord?