DO YOU WONDER WHERE GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF YOUR SUFFERING
No one is immune to suffering in life ,which may be related to your health or that of your near and dear or a painful loss of your loved ones. Do you ask HIM "why me God ?" Two decades ago I suffered from severe painful crippling Rheumatoid Arthritis. I wondered why God was allowing illness to destroy my life and career?Frustrated I turned to God on my journey towards healing, surprisingly I went into a rare spontaneous remission after 8 years .This strengthened me to place my hope in God's power.
DO WE ASK GOD WHY ME WHEN WE EXCELL?
Arthur Ashe a Wimbledon winner contracted HIV during blood transfusions. Many asked him why did God choose him of all the people? Ashe's reply was, "All over the world millions aspire to become tennis players.Out of them a hundred thousand reach proficiency. Of which a few thousand play in circuits and only a 100 play the grand slam.Finally only 2 reach final of Wimbledon. When I was standing with the trophy of Wimbledon in my hand I never questioned God "Why Me?" And now what right do I have to ask God "Why Me?"
PAIN AND SUFFERING ARE GODS MEGAPHONE TO AROUSE A DEAF WORLD
It’s true. We never look to God much when we are healthy, successful, busy and able. Only when we are stripped of all our resources that we really begin to seek God and to cry out to Him from the depths of our heart. We have to remind ourselves of the truth that in acknowledging our suffering and need we see God’s tremendous healing power of not only for our physical but emotional and spiritual healing which play the most significant role in enabling us to find contentment and peace in life whether we are sick or well.
OVERCOMING SUFFERINGS ELEVATES US
The greater the suffering , the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests. By responding to challenges we develop skills ,hard-work, self-esteem. Difficulties force us to make choices between compassion or anger, generosity or selfishness, we literally create ourselves. Without facing adversity, these choices would not be needed and we would remain blank. Through our efforts to make these choices, we experience either personal and social growth,or apathy and decay.
BATTLING WITH SUFFERINGS WE DEVELOP CONFIDENCE AND FAITH
How often have we faced a situation that seemed like a disaster that made us cry out, "Why is this happening to me?" only to find later that this "disaster" was actually exactly what we needed at that moment to protect us, guide us and perhaps push us towards a higher goal that we would not have moved towards otherwise. Be spiritually strong and view the experience as an opportunity to learn, and strengthen your faith in your abilities and the power of God .
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS RATHER THEN YOUR SUFFERINGS
Don't take things so seriously. Charlie Chaplin famously said: "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long-shot." It's all too easy to get wrapped up in our own small tragedies that cause us to act and react on a micro level. But take a step back and look at life more philosophically, more mischievously, more romantically. The wonder, the limitless possibilities, the absurdity of it all ,it's enough to make you laugh at how strangely lucky you are in many things which others lack .
THE SILVER LINING IS THAT NOTHING IS PERMANENT INCLUDING SUFFERING
If you're in the middle of a period of suffering, grief or pain that you can't control, stand aside with faith and patience and let the moment happen ,remind yourself that this, too, shall pass. Great saints like Raman Maharishi and Ramakrishna Paramhansa, suffered from cancer,but never asked God "Why me?" Is that not a good enough reason for us to endure sufferings with a positive mind and total surrender and not question "Why me God?"One does not know what miracle might happen for we are ignorant of HIS plans and HIS ways .
