The Mystery of Pain and Suffering

Suffering is the most serious problem in life. The important question is why suffering comes from the many pains and diseases in life. What is the purpose of suffering in one’s life? What about someone born with a genetic disease who has had no choice but to accept this misfortune? One may ask, “Where is God? Is that God’s will?” Surely there is no God will, because He never intended to see His creation suffer from any pain. God could not bear our suffering. God simply wants us to get close and remember Him. He wants us to cling to Him for everything concerning our daily lives. However, if God prevents diseases and illnesses from forming in our mortal bodies, then why does disease occur in some lives, in some hearts, so it seems never-ending? In other words, there are instances of different kinds of disease occurring in one mortal body at the same time. Why does disease occur in one’s life? One may cry out, “Why, God, have you forsaken me to allow this awful unbearable disease that is upon me? What did I do to deserve this disease?” Jesus said, “Disease occurs in one person so that the work of God can manifest in him.” Hence, it allows each human to help another, so that someone in pain can find relief, release his suffering, and heal his heart. God intends disease to happen so that every human can help another. Thus, a man’s misfortune can be transformed into a miracle of mercy on Earth. In other words, if there is no pain or suffering in us, then there can be no opportunity for God to show His power and we will be withdrawn from God.

His gospel would be missed. Every time we meet someone who is suffering or in pain or sorrow, there is an opportunity for us to manifest God’s work so that His will can be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. This allows us to show kindness and compassion to others by offering comfort, or whatever else may be in our power to help. Your presence to help sick people get well is like God’s omnipresence; this is the reason suffering is allowed.

On the other hand, it may be God’s intention for us to benefit from our own troubles so that we can do better. We cannot benefit from anything without learning through our own mistakes. We will miss many fine opportunities for spiritual attainment if we are not willing to suffer. However, are we willing to suffer and pay the price? We cannot become stronger without facing rocks in our lives and then finding shelter from the storm, or facing extreme heat without the experience of suffering. We learn beautiful life lessons through self-denial and mistakes, which allow the healing transformation to transpire.

If everything happens for a reason, suffering occurs in human life because God has a reason for it. This is an especially good belief to hold when we find ourselves in trouble. God has his reasons for sending trouble to people’s lives. There is always mystery, perplexity, and heartbreak, and we do not know why. We do not have the answers, because we are not meant to have them. The answers are for God to give, and only He has the answers to our queries. Let God answer: the “why” belongs to Him. Let us trust Him and be still. God makes no mistakes.    ∆  

by Herman Wong