A Meaningful Life with Pain and Depression

The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health. (Psalm 41:3)

For almost 40 years, I’ve been providing pastoral care to people suffering from various ailments. Experience taught me that pain is the one thing no one will avoid. You can be the wealthiest person from the most influential home and never be too perfect to dodge the inevitability of pain. The only question is how you will respond when it happens to you and those you love. Often, with little control over one’s pain, severe depression ensues.

In “Double Trouble: Pain is Depressing. Depression is Painful,” Robert Roy Britt addresses the relationship between pain and depression. Britt states, “Some 12 million US adults have co-occurring chronic pain with anxiety or depression symptoms,” which he quotes from the journal “Pain.” Britt continues, “Among people who struggle with chronic pain and anxiety or depression, 70% report limited abilities at work, 55% find social activities difficult, and 44% have trouble just doing their own errands, the study found.” The struggle with pain and depression makes it hard to function at a basic level.

I am reminded of the adage, “Which comes first? The chicken or the egg,” when Britt determines, “So does pain cause depression, or does depression cause pain? The short answer is ‘yes.’” Healing begins when we recognize that pain and depression go together. You shouldn’t be surprised that the other often follows when you have one. Recognizing that pain and depression go together will keep us from being surprised or denying one’s feelings and suffering. Facing the struggle of pain and depression is the foundational step in recovery.

Since pain is a part of each person’s life, and depression often accompanies pain, our task is to prepare ourselves for the inevitable struggle. Depression is no more a reason for shame than physical pain. Faith in God and God’s healing touch are the salve that provides comfort to either heal or at least endure pain and depression with integrity and moments of joy. The Holy Spirit makes everything possible, including creating a meaningful life amid suffering. We will not give up or give in when we know the Spirit is actively working in and through us. Further, there is joy in knowing that our pain and depression are not our final experiences. Living faithfully with suffering and trusting God will provide the perspective we need to endure and thrive.