What is the purpose of suffering
By Ken
@kanuck1 (4424)
December 7, 2020 12:51pm CST
We sometimes see posts about myLotters being sick, losing a loved one in death and even some are no longer here because they have passed away.
There are very few of us that escape suffering. We suffer when we're sick or hurt ourselves. We suffer when we see a loved one die. Even when a woman gives birth there can be suffering to some degree. We see many suffering in various ways with this current pandemic.
Sometimes, understanding why something happens can give us some comfort. Especially comforting is knowing how to remedy suffering and how all suffering will end.
Here are some very encouraging and comforting Scriptures on the subject:
Isaiah 65:17 (Easy-to-Read Version) “I am creating a new heaven and a new earth. The troubles of the past will be forgotten. No one will remember them."
Revelation 21:4 (Easy-to-Read Version) "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain. All the old ways are gone.”
Have you ever wondered about why there is so much suffering? Do you have any thoughts about why we suffer?
15 people like this
12 responses
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
7 Dec 20
Well you know I was always told it builds character pffft but I am about sick of suffering and watching those I love suffer as well. Still I hold my faith.
5 people like this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
7 Dec 20
Yes, I am also sick of suffering but since it will be with us for a while longer and I have no idea just how long that might be, it is good if we can understand why there is suffering. I am trying to understand it better and that is why I started this discussion.
I too hold on to my faith as I have not found anything better to hold on to. 
2 people like this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
7 Dec 20
@RebeccasFarm Unfortunately, as the days go by, my suffering will only worsen but, like you, I will hold on to my faith until the end. God promises and end to all suffering. Who else can promise that or even come close? 
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
7 Dec 20
@kanuck1 Yes I feel like that to me may be the only answer. Faith..because no on here on earth has a reasonable answer.
I pray your suffering eases.
2 people like this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
9 Dec 20
I don't think that God brings the challenges directly but allows them to occur and helps us learn something from the challenge that is brought on by the Devil, the wickedness in the world or our own selfish desires.
Scripture for meditation: James 1:13 (Easy-to-Read Version) Whenever you feel tempted to do something bad, you should not say, “God is tempting me.” Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone.
1 person likes this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
12 Dec 20
Yes, some people live horrible lives while some have few problems and troubles. Those that face terrible situations often wonder why things are that way when they see that some suffer very little.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 (Easy-to-Read Version) 11 I also saw other things in this life that were not fair. The fastest runner does not always win the race; the strongest soldier does not always win the battle; wise people don’t always get the food; smart people don’t always get the wealth; educated people don’t always get the praise they deserve. When the time comes, bad things can happen to anyone!
It's like when one plays cards, some times the right cards come and sometimes they don't. We have to do the best with what comes our way.
One day, all things will be straightened out and that is a good hope to have!
1 person likes this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
18 Dec 20
@GodServantme Yes, that has happened tp many people and that is why I started this discussion. If you read the whole post and all the interesting comments carefully, you will find some good information that might be useful to you. All the best!
@LowRiderX (22901)
• Serbia
15 Dec 20
@kanuck1 I read somewhere once ... God gives us exactly as much pain and suffering as we can bear. Life is sometimes so unfair..
2 people like this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
16 Dec 20
@LowRiderX Jesus did teach us to pray that God would not lead us into temptations or that he would keep us away of any temptations where we would fall.
Matthew 6:13 Easy-to-Read Version
13 Don’t let us be tempted,
but save us from the Evil One.
This is an encouraging verse:
1 Corinthians 10:13 Easy-to-Read Version
13 The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.
1 person likes this
@LowRiderX (22901)
• Serbia
16 Dec 20
@kanuck1 Thank you Ken!
In a way ... these are all temptations, I'd say.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
16 Dec 20
I wish that no one had to suffer. I think that we can become stronger and there are lessons to learn through what we endure.
1 person likes this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
16 Dec 20
@Tampa_girl7 I think that you are so right! It may be, that in the end, when all is said and done, there was never any bad and that it was all good. What do you think about that?
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54715)
• United States
16 Dec 20
@kanuck1 it seems to me that many times some good can come from a bad situation.
1 person likes this
@akalinus (44366)
• United States
8 Dec 20
@kanuck1 I'm thinking that it is so you know you need God. You could be an inspiration to others to overcome their troubles. You have an understanding of what others go through so that you can better help them. These are just off the top of my head and I'm not sure if they are in the book. I read it many years ago.
1 person likes this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
9 Dec 20
@akalinus Yes, I have come to the same conclusion.
1. At one time pain and suffering did not exist. Pain and suffering are a by-product or a side-effect of sin. Sin resulted with disobedience. Pain and suffering will end when sin is removed and only God can do that when we are obedient.
2. Pain and suffering are there to teach us the importance of obedience to God. When our parents told us not to touch a hot stove it was not to limit our freedom but to protect us from harm. All of God's commandments are there to protect us and others.
1. At one time pain and suffering did not exist. Pain and suffering are a by-product or a side-effect of sin. Sin resulted with disobedience. Pain and suffering will end when sin is removed and only God can do that when we are obedient.
2. Pain and suffering are there to teach us the importance of obedience to God. When our parents told us not to touch a hot stove it was not to limit our freedom but to protect us from harm. All of God's commandments are there to protect us and others.1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
11 Dec 20
Ultimately sin nature is behind all suffering but often people can get help so their suffering doesn't last so long but not all those suffering do get the help they need.
1 person likes this
@kanuck1 (4424)
•
12 Dec 20
I agree, sin is the cause of suffering. God has made arrangements to remove sin and then suffering will end. We have to wait for that time.
In the meantime, we can reduce and at times even remove some suffering by prevention and foresight. Example: a person who takes care of their teeth will find life much easier than one who doesn't.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (28380)
• Singapore
8 Dec 20
My take is life has to have variety to keep us alive.
I take a view - this too shall pass.
I recall a few end of the world scenarios in my life but soon they are water under the bridge.
And suffering helps us to prove our mettle and thereby gain confidence.
Life without a timeframe here could prove a burden and renewal is the name of the game in creation.
1 person likes this
