WHY SUFFERING? By Dennis J. Prutow

There is a lot of suffering in the world. It tugs at our heart strings most when we see a young mother with cancer or a youngster with leukemia. Then there are the problems of the elderly. Some old folks are abandoned in so called rest homes and just left there to die. And need we mention the wars, famine, persecution, and injustice in the world which all contribute to suffering? It makes you ask, "Why? Why all the suffering?"

From God's perspective, there are several reasons for suffering. God gives us one of those reasons in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. The Bible speaks of the "God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we are comforted by God."

Here is a profound reason for your suffering. Out of it all you can learn about the comfort only God can give. Once you have really learned the lesson of God's comfort, you can direct others to that ultimate source of comfort. Jesus Christ is our chief example. Jesus Christ was perfected through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10). This was so "that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God" (Hebrews 2:17). Now Jesus Christ is in heaven with the same body in which He suffered praying for you and me.

Yes, God is the "Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." Turn to God, not just halfheartedly or with bitterness about your troubles; but turn to God and beg for His mercy. Ask Him for comfort!