Aug 24, 2023
Episode Summary:
Spiritual pain can be an emotionally distressing experience,
however, it is often overlooked. Sometimes our belief systems and
connection to God can be disrupted, causing anguish, and leaving us
feeling abandoned or punished. Join me on the podcast with Aliene
Thompson as we discuss what to do when God is silent and how to
heal spiritual pain.
Most people can identify with physical pain. We’ve all been
there…a broken leg, a cracked tooth, sunburn. But there are other
less discussed types of pain that cause just as much or more damage
in people’s lives. In my book The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out
to God When Pain Overwhelms, I discuss physical pain, emotional
pain, relational pain, spiritual pain, grief and loss, and even
secondary pain caused by the words or actions of others that makes
any of the other kinds of pain worse. Spiritual pain is discussed
much less frequently than the other types of pain, but is important
to discuss.
Quotables from the episode:
- Spiritual pain is discussed much less frequently than the other
types of pain, but is important to discuss.
- Spiritual pain is considered a disruption in one’s belief
system or their sense of relationship to God.
- Spiritual pain, discomfort, or angst may accompany those times
in our life when we feel like God has abandoned us, turned his back
on us, punished us, or simply allowed instances into our life for
which we see no redeeming quality.
- These perspectives cause us to feel uncomfortably distanced
from God and distressed by that sense of distance.
- It is possible that someone may experience one of those other
types first and then also spiritual pain, which is considered
compounded pain.
- We live very ego-centric lives; it’s all about us. We want
answers yesterday.
- We are very pain averse. When pain becomes our focus, it
becomes very loud and distracting…making it harder to focus on God,
so he seems silent.
- Maybe God uses these times of spiritual pain to teach us how
dependent we are on him.
- God can handle our blame, questions, and emotions.
- In Scripture, when God says to “Be still and know I am God,” we
tend to look at being still as being quiet. But the Hebrew meaning
of that has a connotation of surrendering to God and recognizing
that He is in control even when we can’t see what he’s doing.
- Scripture says to “draw near to me, and I will draw near to
you.” God is a gentleman. He won’t force himself on us. But if God
seems silent, and you want to heal spiritual pain, you get to take
the first step.
Scripture References:
- Psalm 28:1 (A Psalm of David) “To You, O Lord,
I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me,
I will become like those who go down to the pit.”
- Psalm 83:1 (A Psalm of Asaph) “O God, do not
remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.”
- Psalm 109:1 (Psalm of David) “O God of my
praise, Do not be silent!”
- Isaiah 64:12 “Will You restrain Yourself at
these things, O Lord? Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond
measure?”
- Zephaniah 3:17 “The Lord your God is in
your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts
of joy.
Recommended Resources:
Social Media Links for Guest and Host:
Connect with Aliene Thompson:
Website / Facebook /
Instagram
For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at:
Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip /
Order Book Hope Prevails /
Website
/ Blog
/ Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)
/ LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube
Guest:
Aliene Thompson, is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the
creator of the Nourish Bible Study Method and the author of the
Nourish Bible Study Series. Aliene describes herself as a biblical
soul strategist, which means that she helps women transform their
lives by changing their approach to Bible study and by educating
them on how timeless biblical truths heal soul hurts. She is
passionate about helping women uncover how timeless biblical truths
heal soul hurts. Aliene is a graduate of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor of arts degree in
communication studies.
Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson