Why is there suffering?

“I love you, Lord God, and you make me strong.  You are my mighty rock, my fortress, my protector, the rock where I am safe, my shield, my powerful weapon, and my place of shelter” (Psalm 18:1-2, CEV).

  Why is there suffering?  Why is this happening to me?  Sometimes we cannot answer these questions in our own understanding. It is very hard to even begin to understand why sicknesses, circumstance, illnesses and aging issues come into our lives and why we have to endure the suffering they bring to us.  If we could chose, we would not want  to have to deal with any of them or the suffering that comes from them.  Pain, suffering and death are just part of life in our fallen world. 

      There is no real answer to the suffering in the world or in our life experience. It is a basic fact; there simply will be suffering in our living out our days on this earth.  When suffering comes ... some are quick to blame God, some question God and some walk away from God as if to believe they will find the answer to suffering in their own understanding.  

     Suffering simply is part of our fallen world but in a greater way so is the love of God, His grace sufficient in all things and His precious gift of salvation. We are not promised a life with no suffering but we are promised that God is a mighty rock in the midst of all suffering.  We are promised that He is a Father that knows everything about us and knows our prayers before we ask them. We are promised a great and unfathomable love and we are promised His grace will carry us through this life and into an eternal life where there will be no tears and pain.  Through God’s loving grace, we not only know that He sees our pain and hears our cries but He will also send Jesus the One that knows pain and sorrow (Hebrew 4:15) to be with us through His Holy Spirit (John 14:6). So call upon the Lord to come and be with you in your suffering. Lean upon Him even as your heart breaks during times of suffering for the “Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those that are crushed in Spirit” (Psalms 34:18, ESV). 

Dear Father in Heaven, we come to you broken, by our suffering and pain. We know that you see us in our pain and we know that you hear us as your children. We come seeking your healing touch, your comfort and strength and the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ to watch over us.  Help us in our needs, watch over us with your tender love and hold us as place of shelter in this time of trouble.  We thank you for being our Father, loving us and saving us.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Suggested Reading … Psalm 34