Justin's Notes
Jul. 3, 2025
We lost my grandma in June. While going through the process of seeing her pass and the grieving that goes along with it, I wanted to read something that may help me with that processing. Naturally, I found myself reading C.S. Lewis.
Honestly, when I read C.S. Lewis, I often struggle a little bit. His writing feels scholarly and academic to me. I am still working on my reading comprehension when it comes to non-fiction, so it was enjoyable challenge. I have started taking notes with most non-fiction books I read, so you can find them at the bottom like normal. I would not categorize Lewis' books, including this one, as an easy read. Probably for the better, I wouldn't want an easy read on pain's existence in the world.
Lewis takes the reader through a pretty large array of topics, from God's goodness and omnipotence to human sin and the fall of man to heaven and hell. I loved Lewis' point of pain being a tool to bring us back to God. Not that God causes us pain so that we come to Him, but that our response to pain that our imperfection causes should be to go back to the perfect God. One of the core points, in my opinion, is the topic of free will, and how if we believe that we as humans have free will, then pain is going to be inevitable. There is no possibility for us to have a life without pain, because our free will ultimately can (and will) lead us to pain and suffering. I especially loved the following quote on the topic.
I think anyone could enjoy this book, whether you are a Christian or not. We all experience pain, and Lewis does an incredible job presenting the hope that followers of Christ have when it comes to pain, suffering, and grief in our lives. This book helped me process the loss of my grandma, and I am incredibly thankful for its existence.
