--- title: Pain Is a Good Sign description: Andrea Bear explains what doctors recognize about the role of pain and suffering.   image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20240612%20ABear%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/pain-is-a-good-sign#) [FAITH](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/faith) # Pain Is a Good Sign Jun 12, 2024 8:30:00 AM  |  by [Andrea Bear](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/andrea-bear) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20240612%20ABear%201.png) *Andrea Bear explains what doctors recognize about the role of pain and suffering.  * --- One night before going to bed my disabled father reached for a cup and took a fall, unknowingly fracturing his hip.  Already battling muscular dystrophy, he was used to mishaps and didn’t think the situation was more than a tumble.  He signaled for his caretakers to call the fire department to lift him back into his bed, just as he’d done previous times.  All was fine, until in the middle of the night sharp pains persisted and his breathing became restless. He called his caretakers to dial 911 and was rushed to the hospital. The x-ray on his leg showed nothing was wrong, but continual pains and heavy breathing told him otherwise. They did an x-ray on his chest and discovered he had asthma asphyxia and placed him on oxygen.   ## Pain is a good sign So many indicators of pain seeped through his body. A week went by, and his condition wasn’t getting any better. Finally the medical team suggested a CT scan. The image revealed a partial displaced hairline fracture. Immediately Dad was set for surgery and a rod placed in his leg. Upon his post-surgery visit, his doctor made a comment that kind of threw me: “You know when our body feels pain, it's actually a good sign.” She explained that our bodies know all along when something’s wrong.   If doctors recognize the value of pain, how can we recognize its value? If we didn’t experience pain, we would never grow or ask questions; we would never need or seek. Life would be filled with euphoria, and that is the life of heaven. But we aren’t in heaven. Our society rarely values discomfort; when pain is valued, it's typically in the name of achieving personal gain, such as physical fitness, good health, or better finances.     ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20240612%20ABear%203.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20240612%20ABear%203.png)   ## Suffering is one of the ways God reaches us Pain and suffering is rarely looked at as cleansing or purgative, a way to get to the root of the problem. When it’s not our choice, most run from hurt and try to avoid or even numb the feeling. But pain and suffering are a way God reaches us. We see many examples in the Bible of how God uses discomfort to draw someone near to Him.   Acknowledging the good that comes from pain doesn’t mean we enjoy or we look forward to it, and I’m not encouraging cases of self-harm. But when suffering comes upon us, let’s consider what God is trying to teach us in the moment. Are there instances where pain emerges because we are unwilling to take the harder route? Pain can be a good sign, because it teaches us to look at where the pain is coming from. Whether it's physical or emotional, what is the root of our suffering, and what places do we have control and what areas are out of our reach to fix?  My dad realized, by reaching for a cup out of impatience, that his body had physical limitations. By not relying on others, he was relying too much on himself and not the support provided in his assisted-living situation. God was not punishing Dad, but maybe in this moment was trying to show him the need for surrender. Ironically, this happened during Holy Week, and my dad came to the realization that his pain wasn’t even a fraction of the pain and suffering Jesus must have felt on the cross. It was profound.     ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20240612%20ABear%202.png?width=1080&height=1080&name=20240612%20ABear%202.png)   As we continue this month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, let’s focus on how Our Lord’s pain led to His Resurrection and ultimately the salvation of our sins. instead of trying to cover up our pain, let us accept how He can help us heal. ## Consider some of the following questions:   - Is this pain temporary or long-term?   - What will this pain teach me? - How can I lean on God in my struggle?   - Is there something beyond medicine or personal comforts than can help me heal?   - How can God use my pain to work out something good?   - How can I offer my pain to God — if not for myself, then for others?     Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2024 Andrea Bear Images: Canva ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fpain-is-a-good-sign%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fpain-is-a-good-sign%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fpain-is-a-good-sign%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Pain%20Is%20a%20Good%20Sign) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fpain-is-a-good-sign%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fpain-is-a-good-sign%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Andrea Bear](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Andrea%20Bear%201.jpg) ### [Andrea Bear](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/andrea-bear) Andrea Bear is a wife, mom, and teacher in Stockton, California. In addition to CatholicMom.com, she also writes for [HerLife Magazine](https://www.herlifemagazine.com/) and [Catholic Stand](https://catholicstand.com/). She is the award-winning author of Catholic fiction, Grieving Daughters Club. When she's not writing or taking her kids to volleyball practice, you can find her sipping coffee from neighborhood coffee establishments or tasting wine from local vineyards. Visit [AndreaBearAuthor.com.](http://www.AndreaBearAuthor.com) ## Related Blog Articles [ Our Lady of Tour Guides: Praying the Rosary Leads Us to Know God Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/our-lady-of-tour-guides-praying-the-rosary-leads-us-to-know-god) [ My Rosary Story: Who Is Mary to You? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/my-rosary-story-who-is-mary-to-you) [ Children's Book: 'Grandma Taught Me to Love Mary' Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/childrens-book-grandma-taught-me-to-love-mary) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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