Why all the suffering?

A couple of weeks ago, I got an e-mail from a friend. She is suffering emotionally, and it is a challenge just getting out of bed. I know that feeling. Some days, it seems like there is just so much of life "stacked up against you" that you really just don't have the strength to get up and face the day.

Then, at about the same time, our church prayed for someone who has been diagnosed with cancer. Again. More pain, and more suffering. Why does God let that happen? Isn't he our loving father? What kind of father would let this sort of thing continue? Seems mean to me.

Just this week, we once again prayed for someone in pain. This lady has been in extreme daily chronic pain for over a decade. How does God let that happen? Where is the glory in that? "Look at this person who follows Jesus. See how much she suffers?". It doesn't seem to add up.

I've been thinking about this for a while. There has to be something deeper. Something that can make it all make sense. I cannot - in spite of all that I see happening - believe that a God of love has a mean streak. I think this comes back again once more to eternal perspective.

Eternal perspective changes how we look at things. Instead of limiting ourselves to our emotions, feelings, and limited time, we take a big step back and look at things "from God's view". What purpose does suffering have here on earth?

I think that God allows us to suffer because it makes more room in the world for love. Love is the greatest gift that we can give to another person. And the more pain, sorrow, and suffering there is on this earth, the more opportunities we have to give and receive love. Yes, we can love those who aren't suffering too, but the deep connections we make with others are more often and more tightly forged in the fires of adversity. Just like intense heat and pressure turn coal into diamonds - pain, suffering, and sorrow turn mere acquaintances into deep friendships. Spending time with someone and sharing in their suffering creates a deep bond that cannot be duplicated in any other way. And in the sum total of things of value on this wounded sphere, love tops the list.

How great is it that the more you hurt, the more love you experience.