Making Sense Out Of Suffering


Why do bad things always happen to me?

What did I do to deserve this?

Why me Lord?
Did you ever say any of those things? Chances are that at some point in your life you did. This reaction to suffering seems to be coming from a self-centered attitude toward life. When suffering hits, we don’t want to hear that someone has it much worse than we do. They are not part of our pain. For many of us at those times, the only suffering that matters is what we are experiencing. That reaction, while a natural one, is sad and unfortunate. We can make sense out of our suffering if we just look to the Cross. Suffering can be a gift, even though that at the time we are experiencing it, it may seem anything but a gift. Suffering can also be redemptive and efficacious. It can bring us and others closer to God.

God does not cause suffering, but he does allow it to happen. Why? The answer is that He probably uses suffering to bring about a greater good and to bring us closer to Himself by uniting us with His Son. The best example of this is the death and resurrection of Jesus. There was no greater evil known to man than the crucifixion of Our Lord. Yet it is through that necessary evil and suffering that we have been given eternal life. Remember, Easter Sunday always comes after Good Friday. God certainly loved His Son, yet His Son was made to suffer like no one else in history for our sake. He took the punishment for sin that we rightly deserve. When we suffer, it does not mean that God does not love us; rather, it means that God loves us like He loves His Son.

Father Benedict Groeschel said, “Please realize that the suffering that you may experience in this life is not a punishment from God, but rather the gift of His love for you, with which He wants to make you similar to His Son. You are united with Jesus on the Cross. You are suffering, but believe also that Jesus is suffering in you, for you, and with you. He is sharing with you His passion and you, as a victim, must make up for your brothers and sisters that which is lacking in the passion of Jesus Christ.” In other words, by your suffering, you are obtaining graces for those who have yet to open their hearts fully to Jesus. Father Groeschel also said, “Let the thought that you are helping others get to Heaven and that you are not alone in your agony, but rather in the good company of the Risen Lord, be of comfort to you in this time of sorrow.”

In Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ, there is a very powerful scene that has great meaning for us in our daily lives when we experience suffering. Simon of Cyrene is pressed into service by the Roman soldiers to help Jesus carry the cross. At first he is reluctant. If fact, he refused, but he is forced to comply with the soldiers’ orders. As he begins this journey, he comes to know Jesus. He looks into His eyes. He sees His suffering, and Jesus touches Simon’s heart. Simon eventually open’s his heart to Jesus and willingly picks up the cross and carries it. At that point, something truly amazing happens. Jesus gathers up all of His strength and carries the cross with Simon. But more amazing than that, is the fact that Jesus locks arms with Simon as they carry the cross together. Do you see? Here is the secret…If we willingly take up our cross each and every day, we will not have to carry it alone. Jesus will lock arms with us and He will help us carry it to the end. Only through Jesus can our suffering make sense! And through Him, with Him, and in Him, we enter into the mystery of the cross which makes us one with Jesus and will ultimately lead us to salvation.

Peace!

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