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How Can You Make Sense of Suffering?
A priest’s perspective
It’s a question which every Christian, and possibly every single human being, will ask at some point in their lives: “Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?” It’s particularly difficult for Christians, because we profess a faith in a loving God who wishes to spare us from “trial.” It challenges our beliefs and might be a question you are asking yourself right now?
Let me start by saying that it’s important to give an answer to the dilemma of suffering. It’s one of the biggest criticisms hurled at Christians by those of no faith, but if you disagree with my thoughts and reflections, please don’t be mad at me or upset by my comments. This is just my own personal view, which may well be wrong, but which I feel important to offer. As St Paul said, “now we know in part” (1 Cor 13: 9) and no one has all the answers anyway.
Christians need teaching on this topic for other reasons too. As a priest, I am always infuriated by the responses to tragic situations which I sometimes hear from committed Christians. Comments like “it’s God’s will,” or “that’s God’s judgement on a wicked person.”
For me, nothing could be further from the truth and such sentiments completely undermine our faith in the God we trust. God loves us and he doesn’t want us to suffer. That is…