Why do we live in a world full of so much suffering? About 105 people die every minute. 300 billion people live on less than $2.50 a day. Every day 22,000 children die due to poverty. Over one billion people in third world countries have little to no access to water. In Georgia alone, the Federal Bureau of Investigation recorded 37,591 violent crimes in the year 2012. Though there are few people who claim to want suffering, without suffering, there is no hope. But you see, if there were no hunger or thirst, no pain or death, there would be no satisfaction or satiation, no pleasure or life.
Christians believe that suffering is sent from the God that they believe to be good, just and omnipotent. We believe that our God created this world and actively controls every event that happens, but He allows the people He created to suffer every day. Deists share a similar worldview, with the exception that God simply created the world, then sat back, relaxed, and enjoyed the show. Muslims believe that their god, Allah, is in control and actively allows suffering to occur. The Muslim faith teaches that Allah personally inflicts suffering as either a test of faith or a punishment for sin.
Ben Klempner claims in his article for PsychCentral, “Six Reasons Why Suffering is Normal,” that “suffering gives us a greater appreciation of the moments of comfort.” He gives the analogy of a runner in a marathon. For many people (including me), running induces shortness of breath, weak muscles, and sore feet, none of which can be categorized as enjoyable or pleasurable. In fact, I kind of want to die when I run. When the marathon is over, though, the runner regains a regular breathing pattern, returns to normal muscle function, and has the opportunity to sit down and relieve the pressure on his feet. The relief from finishing the race combined with the chemicals released by exercise create a sense of happiness and comfort for the runner that would not have been possible without the suffering caused by the strenuous exercise. Not only is there immediate relief, but after recovering from the stress of the run, the runner is stronger and fitter. No good would have come from a relaxing afternoon sitting on the couch. In this case, the benefits were only reaped when suffering occurred.
For the marathon runner, nothing would have occurred had there not been suffering. In most instances of suffering, it eventually brings relief and happiness. Christians, like all other normal human beings, do not enjoy suffering. We maintain our faith in a God who allows suffering because we know that their hardship will result in something good in the end. Deists believe that suffering is not controlled by a God, but that it will simply work itself out in the end, since suffering always has a good reason. Muslims believe that either the suffering is part of the good, since it is viewed as discipline, or it is a test with a reward at the end.
Regardless of what all the religious people believe, we all realize why there is suffering, and we can all see that the outcome is good. Since we know that, we know that suffering is necessary since it is the only thing that inspires and encourages hope. With any amount of thought, those who wonder at the purpose of suffering can quickly see that, in fact, without suffering, there would be no hope. Next time you want to let your suffering consume you, remember the times that you and everyone else have suffered. Remember the hope that suffering gives you.
