Thoughts on pain, suffering, and death

My mom is almost 92 and in pain today. She has fallen three times in the last six months, resulting in a fractured pelvis and, most recently, a compressed vertebra. She is in a rehab facility facing a long, slow recovery. My wife and I are on our way to see her, so this is going to be a short blog today. The point of my comments has to do with Christianity and my mom.

She's a Christian who has had powerful things to say this week. Once, while in the emergency room, she said she wondered how anyone could face problems like she was and not be a Christian. Later she said she was ready "to go home," a reference to her death and future life with God and Jesus in heaven.

The problem of pain and suffering is supposed to be the number one reason many have rejected the idea of a good God, since they believe such a God would stop these things from happening. I don't want to launch into a vigorous defense for God at this point, although one can be made on several levels.

Instead, I would ask skeptics what they have accomplished if they reject the idea of God. What would they say to my mom? They haven't rid themselves of the problem of evil by doing away with the existence of God. Pain and suffering are still there. So, what would they say to Mom? I guess something like, "Gee, that's too bad" or "Well, at least you had a long life." But those aren't comforting words.

I think there are enough reasons to believe there is a God and to trust Him even during times like this when loved ones suffer. I'll take God and hope any day over dark denials of His existence.