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Before we go any deeper, it is inherent that we examine the fundamental issues surrounding suffering. From the initial question of "why do bad things happen to good people," we see the innate nature of our perception of who should suffer. Asking ourselves that question presupposes that suffering should be a result of not being good, and hence our conclusion that suffering should happen to bad people and not to good people. It is almost a universal feeling that suffering should be exclusively tied to justice. This is the reason why most people don't have a problem seeing a murderer or a thief suffering since they look at it as a form of justice, but the suffering of an infant or an innocent person remains a mystery for most people, and brings them to that initial question of why innocent people should suffer. It is from these two perspectives that I wish to make my approach. First, the suffering that is tied to justice directly and suffering that superceeds justice.
Since I am a Christian, I will approach suffering from a Christian perspective and not only that, but also because it is the only approach that makes sense. If we go back to the book of Genesis, we see how our first parents Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of eden, and as a result sin entered the world. This sin which has been classified by Christian theologians as "the original sin," became the root and cause of every suffering that humanity has fallen under. By choosing themselves and wanting to determine their own destiny apart from God, Adam and Eve steered creation from that awe inspiring reality of complete happiness they were living. But this is only the beginning of our understanding.
The first approach therefore of suffering is the one that can be explained by sin. Sin brings about suffering in all its forms whether it be physical, emotional or spiritual suffering. When we sin, we cause the suffering of ourselves or even others, and given the tight knit fabric of humanity, every sin committed affects the entire human family, and therefore we can't tie our suffering only to our sins but all the sins in general. After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, we see the immediate effects of sin which is death beginning to take effect and has continued since. In the modern world, there is so much suffering that it is easy to be plunged into despair. From the wars, incurable diseases like Cancer and AIDS, to emotional suffering that is caused by broken relationships and failed dreams, the list is endless. While understanding the root of suffering as being tied to sin and human rebellion against God, it would be an injustice on my part to leave it there and not explore the mystery of suffering and discuss its final conclusion.
To do this, we have to look at the other side of suffering which is the one that is not directly tied to justice like the suffering of Christ who was completely innocent and devoid of any stain of sin. Why would Jesus who is the Son of God go through so much suffering? Indeed, it is only through looking at suffering through the suffering of Christ that can help us make sense of the question "why do good people suffer?" The simple answer to why Jesus suffered even unto death on the cross is for the remission of our sins. We actually hear that "He became sin, him who knew no sin." God in His Justice could have completely destroyed man and wiped him out of creation after his fall, but the Eternal mercy of God while demanding justice saw it fit to make a path for man's return to Him. This is accomplished by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus who suffered for the sake of mankind, satisfying the demands of Divine justice for all who would believe in Him. This type of suffering is redeeming suffering and we can participate in this redemptive suffering also with our Lord like St. Paul put it "by out suffering, we complete what is lacking in the suffering of Christ." This doesn't mean his suffering was missing anything, it just means He admits us into his redemptive work when we abandon ourselves to him and since we are "the body of Christ" as believers. Now having looked at these two types of suffering, how can we better deal with the question of suffering.
One thing we can be sure of in this life is that we will suffer. The fact that we live in a world that is under the influence of sin brings with it the consequence of sin which is suffering and its completion which is death. That is not the end of the story however. By the suffering of Christ and His redemptive work, we have the hope of coming to the share of His kingdom where in Rev 21:4, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." We know how the story ends and we can therefore have the joyful anticipation of the fulfillment of that promise. But how does this help us deal with the gruesome reality of suffering at the moment?
For me, understanding the root of suffering helped me snap out of the delusion of those who ask; "how could a good God allow so much suffering." This question assumes that it is God's will that we should suffer. The opposite is just the truth. suffering is a consequence of our sin and this is where most of our suffering comes from. I have found in my life that suffering makes me reflective of my life and it would be an injustice if God allowed man to continue enjoying all good things after he disobeyed him. Suffering often reminds me of my loss and especially my loss of God's friendship through my sinfulness. Is it any wonder that most of us call upon God when we suffer and ignore him mostly when we are content in our temporal wellness. Not at all. Therefore, suffering can be taken as a grace that reminds us of our loss. The second kind of suffering which is redemptive suffering is however the one that could add the most meaning to our lives. If we understood that the Innocent Man took upon suffering to redeem us, we who are not innocent would accept our suffering, offer it up to him and allow him to transform us. The suffering of Christ through his crucifixion helps us understand that God always brings good our of even the most grieveous evils. When asking ourselves "how come good people should suffer?" we should reflect on the fact that the only one who was not only good but perfect and the standard of goodness itself suffered for our sake. Before we despair, we should look at how God transformed the evil committed to His Son on the cross (and there is none greater) and made it the source of eternal life for all who would believe in Him. So When we suffer and even when we do so innocently, we should be hopeful that God will bring the greatest good out of it. At the end of times, the suffering will be infinitely pale compared to the glory that comes from it. Finally, we should rest assured that by the resurrection of Christ, "death has been swallowed up in victory" and that is our sure destiny where no suffering, not even death will have power over us, and only happiness, peace and joy will be our possession.
