Questions and Suffering

“So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.”

Miracles like this remind me of the many who suffer physically, mentally and spiritually.  How often do we pray to be relieved of the pain and suffering of ourselves or those we love?

Years ago, I found a prayer, which begins with 

“Most sacred heart of Jesus, like a watchful shepherd, you care for us and provide us with all we need. You shower us with your love and send people into our lives to help care for us, especially in times of sickness and pain.  I pray for healing for myself and for all who suffer because of advanced age, or illness of body, mind, or spirit.”

As I contemplate this prayer, I think about all those in my life, including me, who are carrying heavy burdens of sickness.

Despite this suffering, I truly believe that wellness will eventually be mine.  Maybe not here on earth, but certainly in the afterlife.  

I’m certain many of us ask for wellness and question “Why me?” 

What did I ever do to deserve this?  This is an example of small thinking. These are useless questions.

God did not leave us here to suffer hopelessly. How often do we ask why innocent people suffer. Can God release suffering? The suffering is used for God to accomplish His purpose. He uses pain and suffering to draw us to Himself so that we will cling to Him. And here’s where prayers for healing become evident. (Have you read When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold Kusher?)

He proves to us that our faith is real through the suffering and pain that are inevitable in this life. Faith can determine how we respond to suffering, especially when we are innocent of wrongdoing.

God uses suffering to take our eyes off this world and turn them to the next. 

Today's Readings