“Human Pain” looks at what purpose pain has in human existence. Lewis starts out by defining what pain is. There are two types of pain, and it is “B. Any experience, where physical or mental, which the patient dislikes” (87), that Lewis looks at. One reason that there is pain, is so that we can realize that we need God. If we experience pain, then we realize that we need God or we completely rebel against the system, “but it give the only opportunity the band man can have for amendment” (93). When things go well in our lives, we tend to ignore God, but when bad things happen to us, we realize that we need him. Too often “We regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it” (94). Ultimately, Lewis concludes that, despite the fact that we have pain in our lives, God is extremely good by letting us experience it. He shows mercy and forgives us when we ask him to. In order to do this, we must surrender ourselves fully, which is an extremely painful but fulfilling process.
This reading was very interesting. So much was packed into these 22 pages that I don’t really know where to start. I think the part that I identified with best was when Lewis talked about how we tend to ignore God when things go well. I haven’t really experienced anything all that bad or painful in my life. As such, I haven’t felt the need to lean on God as much as I should. For a long time, I’ve stayed in the same, comfortable place in my walk with him. Meanwhile, different people I am very close to have gone through some pretty horrific stuff. In this essay, Lewis talks about how our pain will either cause us to reach out to God or to rebel against him completely. One of my friends has struggled with rebellion against God. She is so angry at him for her pain that she goes through stages of complete and total disbelief and lukewarm dependence. Another person close to me has let her pain lead her straight to God. She gives everything to him and, as a result, is the most peaceful person that I know. I only hope that, if I ever face excruciating pain, I can cling to God in the same way.
Corrie, I really appreciated your honesty. I also really liked how you used the quote about how we use God like a parachute. It has made me look back and see when I have ever done this. I thought that C. S. Lewis' words were very wise and insightful because we as humans so often look at painful and only see it for what it is making us feel but Lewis looks at it in the sense that "God is extremely good by letting us experience it." Thank you sharing your thougts. I enjoyed reading what you had to say!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about not having gone through a ton of tough stuff throughout your life. I have gone through some stuff that seemed big to me at the time but compared to some stuff some of my friends and loved ones have gone through mine is so small. The same as you, I have seen some people rush to God for help and others have turned away completely because they say things like how can a loving God do such a thing. This is exactly what Lewis talks about. These are tough situations that definitely call for us to pray for those friends who rush to God but for especially for those who turn away from God in their time of need. Good thoughts Corrie!
ReplyDeleteClinging to God in our pain is often the easiest time to do it, but clinging to God when things are going well - that is an entirely different story. I have found it difficult at times to stay close to God during college. Sure, I go to church, but between work, school, homework, and social events God gets a very small slice of my time. It's difficult, but we need to work on relying on God all the time, every time.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your personal response. It's true, many of us haven't been tested much in our faith. We'd like to say we depend on God completely, and we would if something terrible happened, but we'll never really know unless God lets us feel pain.Nice job, Corrie.
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