[240 words]
Most people do everything they can to get out of suffering. Untold amounts of money is spent to make us feel more comfortable and rid ourselves of pain and anguish. We have been indoctrinated that life should always be fun, easy, and pleasant. We are told that all suffering is bad and it should be avoided at all costs.
But we do need to consider the possibility that God allows suffering in our lives for a higher purpose. The Psalmist admitted that, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted…” (119:71).
So what good can come from suffering? Why does God permit it to happen in our lives? Here are a few possibilities:
• It is one way we can discover what is really important in life.
• It can also get our attention so that we can focus more upon spiritual matters.
• It may be God’s way of molding us into the person He wants us to be.
• Maybe it’s because God knows we can handle it and that we can be a positive example/encouragement to others.
• It could even be a warning to stop self-destructive behavior.
On an on we could go. We may even never know the reason we are suffering. But there is one thing for certain we can know – God is in control and we need to simply depend upon Him and put full trust in Him. He will see us through!
Edd Sterchi
Campbellsville, KY