Growing Deeper into Christ through Pain - Tim Horman
On Sunday Tim Horman shared part 7 in our Deeper series - looking at the topic of pain. Below you’ll find audio and video recordings of his message as well as a summary article with questions for small group discussion.
If you have a prayer request out of this week’s message, please don’t hesitate to contact us at prayer@one.org.au.
Finding Hope in Suffering: Growing Through Pain and Loss
Pain and suffering are inescapable realities of life. We all experience them in different ways, whether through personal loss, illness, relational breakdowns, or unexpected tragedies. Yet, the question that has troubled humanity for centuries remains: If God is good, why does suffering exist?
On Sunday, Tim explored this profound and difficult topic, acknowledging that while suffering may not make sense, God can work through it to bring transformation. His message was not one of easy answers but of deep encouragement—urging us to lean into Christ amidst pain rather than retreat from Him.
God is Not the Author of Our Pain
Many wrestle with the idea that God might be responsible for suffering. Tim made it clear: he does not believe that God is the author of pain. Rather, God despises the evil and devastation that sin has caused in the world. Quoting theologian David Bentley Hart, Tim reminded us that Christianity is a faith of salvation, not one that passively accepts suffering. While suffering is a reality of this fallen world, God’s response is not indifference—He sent Jesus to redeem and restore creation.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8, describes how all creation groans in anticipation of restoration. The world remains a battleground between light and darkness, but we are not without hope. Our hope is not mere optimism but a confident expectation that Christ will ultimately restore all things. Revelation 21:4 assures us that one day, God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain.
Pain as a Catalyst for Growth
While suffering is not from God, it can be used by Him to shape us. Tim shared a well-known quote from C.S. Lewis: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Pain disrupts our illusions of self-sufficiency and highlights our deep need for God. It compels us to re-evaluate where we place our trust and whether our lives are truly anchored in Christ.
For those who already follow Christ, suffering can become a means of deep transformation. As Romans 5:3-5 states, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” While suffering does not feel like a gift, it refines us, stripping away distractions and drawing us into deeper reliance on God.
Tim Keller once said that suffering will either make us better or worse, stronger or weaker—it never leaves us unchanged. The choice is ours: Will we allow suffering to embitter us, or will we let it draw us closer to Jesus?
The Power of Surrender
In moments of pain, we often reach a crossroads. We can withdraw from God in cynicism and self-protection, or we can press deeper into Him. The movie A Hidden Life, which Tim referenced, powerfully illustrates this choice. It tells the true story of Franz Jägerstätter, an Austrian farmer who refused to swear allegiance to Hitler. He endured brutal imprisonment and eventual execution, yet remained steadfast in his faith, knowing that true freedom comes from surrendering to Christ.
Tim challenged us: Are we following a comfortable Christ or the true Christ? The true Christ is not found only in moments of joy and blessing but also in the darkest valleys of suffering. He is the Man of Sorrows, acquainted with grief, who knows our pain intimately because He Himself suffered.
Running to Christ, Not from Him
Rather than running from suffering, we must learn to seek Christ in it. However, many of us try to escape pain through distractions—busyness, entertainment, or even substances. Others repress their emotions, refusing to acknowledge their struggles. But true healing comes when we bring our pain before God in honesty and surrender.
Tim reminded us that the Psalms are filled with prayers of lament. When we don’t know how to pray, Scripture gives us words. Psalm 139 declares that no matter where we go, even into the depths of suffering, God is there. Psalm 23 assures us that even in the valley of the shadow of death, we need not fear, for God’s presence sustains us.
The Promise of Transformation
While God does not promise a life free of suffering, He does promise to be with us in it. More than that, He promises to use it for our good. Romans 8:28 is often quoted in times of hardship: “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” However, the “good” that Paul speaks of is not simply relief from suffering but our transformation into the image of Christ.
C.S. Lewis likened our lives to a divine work of art. Just as an artist will not settle for an incomplete or flawed masterpiece, God will not stop shaping us until we fully reflect Christ. This refining process can be painful, but it is evidence of His love. As Hebrews 12:6 states, “The Lord disciplines the one He loves.”
When we pray for God’s love to shape us, we may not realise that part of that shaping comes through suffering. But God’s goal is not our comfort—it is our Christlikeness.
Holding Onto Hope
Nick Cave, an Australian musician, has spoken candidly about his own grief following the loss of his sons. He describes suffering as a shared human experience that ultimately leads us to seek connection—with one another and with God. This echoes the Gospel truth that our pain is not meaningless. In Christ, even our deepest losses will be redeemed.
Jesus does not offer an abstract philosophy to explain suffering. Instead, He offers Himself. “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Christ’s suffering and resurrection assure us that our own suffering is not the final word. One day, all things will be restored. Until then, we can take comfort in knowing that we are never alone—He is with us always.
Questions for Small Group Discussion
Have you ever experienced a time when suffering drew you closer to God? How did it shape your faith?
Tim mentioned that suffering will either make us better or worse, stronger or weaker. How have you seen this play out in your own life or in others?
Romans 5:3-5 talks about how suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. In what ways have you seen this truth in action?
What are some ways we might try to escape suffering instead of facing it with Christ? How can we learn to bring our pain to God instead?
How does the promise of future restoration in Revelation 21:4 shape the way we endure suffering today?
What practical steps can we take to support one another in seasons of pain and grief?
Suffering is an unavoidable part of life, but in Christ, it is never without purpose. When we surrender to Him, He takes our deepest sorrows and transforms them into something beautiful. We may not always understand the ‘why,’ but we can trust in the goodness of the One who walks with us through it all.