hy does life have to be so painful? It’s a question I ask quite often. And I think it’s a relatively common question for all of us. Life can be very difficult at times.
Of course, there are many ways of responding to life’s difficulties. We may become jaded and just learn to distrust people and circumstances—and even God. We may decide that God does not exist—after all, why would a God who loves us allow such suffering? We may decide to be like Pollyanna and put on our pink sunglasses, trying our best to ignore the problems all around us. But none of these responses is beneficial and none addresses the truth of the situation.
So... what if God were to answer that question? Why, God, is life so difficult?
I believe the bible has quite a few answers to that question. But one of them is a wonderful concept in my mind. God has made us to be very social creatures. We need each other. Those who are able to open their hearts to others and truly care for others seem to be the happiest people around—or perhaps more well-adjusted would be the better way to say it. The bumps and pitfalls of life don’t seem to impact those people quite as much as they affect the rest of us.
Some of the more jaded among us may say that those who are able to care the most are those who get hurt the most—and that is probably true. However, that concept fits right in with the passage from the bible that came to my mind this morning when a friend of mine lost a dear friend to cancer.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble.
What a wonderful concept. The reason we go through difficult times is so that we may be comforted by God. And when we have been comforted by God, we are able to turn to those around us and comfort them in the same way. Our social natures are enriched. We benefit from the increased understanding, love, and friendship. And we display the mind and heart of Jesus Christ, who died for us so that we would be comforted and would comfort others.
Praise God—even when life sucks!
This was a needed uplift. Thanks.
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