Pastor's Pen

In HBO’s Band of Brothers there’s a scene where “Doc” Roe is talking to Renee, a Belgian nurse tending wounded American soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge.

Sitting outside a battle-damaged church that served as an aid station in Bastogne, Belgium, Roe says, “You’re a good nurse,” to which Renee responds, “No, I never want to treat another wounded man again. I’d rather work in a butcher shop.” Roe says, “But your touch calms people, that’s a gift from God.” Renee replies, “That’s not a gift; God would never give such a painful thing.”

I’ve watched Band of Brothers numerous times and every time I watch that scene my theological radar goes off. I’m not a combat veteran and I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to try to comfort a soldier who might not survive his wounds. The Bible tells us how God came willingly into our world in the person of Jesus Christ. A song by Christian artist Katy Nichole said, “Born into a world of suffering/They don’t know the gift I know you’re gonna be/I wish I could protect you from the pain/But something’s telling me that’s the reason why you came.”

Jesus bore our sins and suffering for us (I Peter 2:24, 5:1; Isaiah 53:4-6; Philippians 3:10). Crucifixion was so brutal Roman law forbade its use as an execution method for Roman citizens accused of capital crimes. One paradox of the Christian faith is Jesus’ suffering and death provides healing power and eternal life for those who believe in Him. Christians are called to be instruments of God’s healing through their actions and words, impacting the pain carried by others in their minds, emotions, and bodies.

Renee realized the pain, grief, hurt, and trauma we encounter in being God’s instruments of healing can be hard to bear but I respectfully disagree with the assertion “God would not give such a painful gift.” The pain is not in the gift; it is in the grief, trauma, and hurt caused by war, crime, abuse, violence, illness, and a hundred other things that tear at our spirits, minds, and bodies.

The Christian faith makes the incredible claim that God can use our pain as a point of contact to help others (II Corinthians 1:3-7). Even if we have not experienced similar pain God’s Holy Spirit helps us meet people where they are in their pain because none of us are immune or invulnerable to pain. It is simply part of life. Through God’s grace we can learn to let Him use us as instruments of His healing power, a gift which is not the source of pain but which God uses to confront the pain of our broken, fallen, and mixed-up world.

In a way Renee was right; it is painful to hear or see others in pain but as we open ourselves to God’s gracious Holy Spirit, the divine Comforter (John 14:15-31), His healing love, grace, and mercy will flow through us and impact those we seek to comfort.