The Mystery of Suffering
Mathews Mar Barnabas Metropolitan

Suffering is a great mystery especially to those who believe in an almighty and loving God. When unbearable sufferings come, many people become bitter, desperate, and mentally sick. Some commit suicide. We wonder how earthquakes, hurricanes, and epidemics can exist in a world created by God.
Suffering may be said to be that which prevents our welfare, progress, and happiness.

1. The origin of suffering

According to the Holy Bible, suffering is the result of man's misuse of the freedom of will. When Adam and Eve sinned, suffering came to the world. God said to Adam, "Because you listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree, of which I commanded you, you shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in toil shall you eat of it, all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it will bring forth to you and you shall eat the plants. In the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread, till you turn to the ground." (Gen. 3:17-19) The destruction of the whole mankind through a flood, except Noah and his family was due to the sin of mankind. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was also due to the sin of the inhabitants of those cities.
But suffering can come to mankind through other reasons also. For example, the reason for the birth of the man born blind was not the sin of anyone. "It was not that this man sinned, nor his parents." (St. John 9:3) God only knows why suffering comes to particular persons.

2. God prevents sufferings when He feels the need

"God is faithful and he will not let you to be tempted, beyond your strength, but with the temptations he will also provide the way to escape, that you may be able to endure it" (I Cor. 10:13) says St. Paul.

3. God does not stop suffering when He can use suffering for our benefit

Our Lord prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." (St. Matt. 26:39) He prayed three times. But this prayer was not granted. It is written of our Lord as follows, "Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered and being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation, to all who obey Him. Being designated by God, a high- priest after the order of Melchizedek." (Heb. 5:8-10)
St. Paul prayed thrice for healing, by removing the thorn given to him in the flesh. (II Cor. 12:7) But his prayer was answered as he wished. He said that the thorn was to keep him from elations.
Our Lord did not come to heal his intimate friend Lazarus when the message was sent to Him. Only after the death and burial of Lazarus our Lord went there. He then rose up Lazarus proving that He is the resurrection and the life. (St. John 11:25)

4. God helps us to overcome suffering

The author of the epistle to the Hebrews says about our Lord as follows, "Since then we have a great high-priest who passed through heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high-priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and grace to help in time of need". (Heb. 4:14-16)

5. Our Lord helps us to grow spiritually through suffering

When there are faults and imperfections in us, God will discipline us and correct us through sufferings. The author of the epistle to the Hebrews says, "For the Lord disciplines him whom He loves and chastises every son whom he receives." (Heb. 12:6) "For they disciplined us for a short time at their pleasure, but He (God) disciplines us for our good that we may share His goodness." (Heb. 12:10)

Suffering helps us to understand that we are not meant for this temporary world. It makes us concentrate more on the world to come.

Suffering makes us humble, as we don't know what will come in the future. In humility we are made to respect others and to depend on God's grace.

Suffering strengthens us spiritually. It is said that the Native Americans get their children equipped and strengthened in a special way to fight. When the son is grown up, the father will take him to the wilderness where there are wild animals. The boy will be given bow and arrows. Suddenly the father will disappear and hide himself in the neighborhood. He will be watching the son fighting against the wild animals. When the son is found to be in danger the father will come out and save the son. In a similar way God may train us and equip us through sufferings in order to face the realities of life.

6. God exalts those who continue to be honest, loyal, and sinless

Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, had to undergo severe sufferings. He was cast into a pit by his brothers on account of their jealousy and hatred. He was sold as a slave to the merchants going to Egypt. There he was sold as a slave to an Egyptian. As the wife of the Egyptian brought false allegations against him, he was cast into prison. Finally, when he interpreted the dream of the king of Egypt, he was appointed as the prime-minister. Here we find a remarkable example of how God exalts His chosen to high positions as a result of their honesty and loyalty in the midst of sufferings.

7. Our Lord's promise of the heavenly mansions

On the eve of our Lord's death, He has given us the promise of the heavenly mansions so that all those who suffer may have hope and peace. Our Lord said, "Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God and believe in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?" (St. John 14:1-2)
St. Paul says, "For the slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory, beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transitory, but the things that are unseen are eternal". (II Cor. 4:17,18)
In the Book of Revelation, the souls of the martyrs are described as follows in eternal glory: "These are they that have come out of great tribulations; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night within His temple and He who sits upon the throne will shelter them with His presence. They will hunger no more, neither thirst anymore, the sun shall not strike them nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd and He will guide them to springs of living water and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes". (Rev. 7:14-17)

Conclusion

Our duty is to strengthen one another in times of suffering. The author of the epistle to the Hebrews says, "But exhort one another every day as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (Heb. 3:13) St. Paul says, "Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient to them all" (I Thes. 5:14) "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Gal 6:2)