Suffering Perception

I'm sure all of you can relate to the questions of 'why is there pain, suffering and sorrow? Why would God allow this?'

Most of us go to great lengths to avoid pain, suffering, etc., which makes perfect sense. When/if we pray, the prayer usually revolves around asking God to help us avoid or get around any discomfort that may come our way. This makes perfect sense in our carnal minds and I see very little chance of escaping this inner desire.

Pain, suffering and sorrow is an inevitable part of life and has immense value. Depending on the attitude of those going through pain/suffering, character is built or diminished. It is of no use to pray suffering away.... suffering comes. If your attitude is one that desires God to give you the strength to endure the crisis and not lose yourself in the process, you will come out stronger. If you choose to lose yourself in the process by becoming bitter, indifferent and angry, you become weaker.

It is way above our authority to grovel with God about the 'why' of ours, or others, suffering. It is the height of arrogance to blame Him for our sorrow or circumstance. Pain, sorrow and suffering have purpose, much of which is outside our understanding or ability to see.

Think of the effect someone's suffering may have on a perfect stranger who observes and empathetically grieves from a distance. Maybe they are far from God, possibly bitter themselves from a perceived wrong in their lives. As they witness the suffering, they begin to cry out to God on their behalf, fervently interceding for those hurting. As they reconnect with their Father, His Spirit begins to move in their life again, the connection is restored and misappropriated bitterness begins to fade. Look at Jesus as He was beaten, whipped, mocked, nailed to the cross and suffered for all to see.... Jesus was not saved FROM suffering, He was saved THROUGH the suffering... what was the effect? Salvation for all those who acknowledge and serve Him. Nobody understood this at the time until He returned and revealed His purpose.

It is good to pray for protection and avoidance, but we must understand that suffering will come. When it does, we must ask God to preserve what He created us to be and not surrender self to the enemy, which turns our enmity toward God.

I have much more to say about this in His time.