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: 

• The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms  
• Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day
• YouVersion 7-Day Devotional, Today is Going to be Another Good Day
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
• Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
• Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
• Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award
• Trusting God Through Cancer 1
• Trusting God Through Cancer 2
• Revive & Thrive Women's Conference
• Subdue Stress and Anxiety: Fifteen Experts Offer Comprehensive Tools in Ten Minutes a Day. Use my link plus discount code BENG99 to save $90 on course (course will be $99.)
• Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win

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

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