Why should good people suffer? After all, they are those who do not hesitate to show compassion to others. Some are peace makers and others are selfless in nature. Why then should they suffer?
A friend once recounted the story of her neighbor. This neighbor came from a poor background and suffered hardships as a young lady. She later got married to an older man who abused her in the relationship. She bore six children in her marriage, whom she suffered to raise after her abusive spouse died.When her kids were all trained and working, she developed a terminal illness and eventually died. Friends and relatives wailed and mourned her death. Why didn't God permit her to live long so as to enjoy the success of her children? It seems as if she was born just to suffer. Is it a curse to do good? At least, can't the good be spared the burden of suffering, instead have the wicked be made to suffer instead.
Let us not forget though that "God does not desire the death of a sinner" and could give one repeated opportunities on earth to repent. Also, God did say in the bible that "there will be great rejoicing in heaven if one sinner on earth repents." A sinner could be so dead in sin that he cannot save himself, and would need some interventions-the prayers and mortification of the just to pull and rouse him toward the path of repentance. This leads me to the next step-what are the effects of human suffering?
Human suffering can sometimes result from us being held accountable to pay for our transgressions. Other times, it can occur as a means of atonement, not necessarily for our sins, but for the sins of other erring souls whom God wants to convert. In the bible, God said that " if you want to be my disciple, you have to pick up your cross and follow me." Jesus Christ too did suffer a lot in the world before he died. He walked around bare footed and preached the gospel. He cured the lame, healed the blind, fed the hungry, raised the dead. Was unjustly tried and condemned by some of his beneficiaries to die a horrific death on the cross. When he called on God the Father to take away his chalice (suffering) on the cross, an angel of God was sent to console him instead, since the redemptive suffering must continue till the cup of atonement was full. He had to suffer and die for humanity to be redeemed, so that he could open the gates of heaven to all. Let us not forget that he is a typical example of a just man suffering. All sufferings, especially those borne by the just, when joined to that of Christ sends all heaven into ecstasy, since it has such huge atoning and redemptive effect.
Let us not just focus on Jesus, but talk about the lives of saints. Saints are those holy men and women who lived, and heroically suffered deprivation, and sometimes were killed for the faith. They fought bravely, died and are now saints in heaven. Let us focus on the later day saints because we recognize them, since they died not long ago, hence we can identify with them. Take Mother Teresa of Calcutta as an example-She lived poverty to the core, suffered self inflicted suffering and deprivation for the faith. In fact, during her life time, many called her the living saint because she rescued the wretched and abandoned, begged for alms with which to house, feed and clothe them. Her suffering was what earned her the sainthood. Another confirmation that suffering in essence, is not spared the just.
The way the world sees and interprets suffering these days makes it look as if it is something that should be despised. The world is a transitory place, provided as a preparatory ground to earn entrance into God's eternal home for us. Let us be the wise virgins who filled our lamps with oil, who stood firm and prepared for the coming of the lamb. In life, we must drink of the cup God sends us, whether it be (sweet) successes, or (bitter) suffering. The saints that made it to heaven did not do so on a platter of gold, but rather through the narrow, and rugged road that leads to heaven. Whether we are worthy or unworthy, when going through the furnace of suffering, our prayers and songs should be, welcome be the holy will of God.
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