Why Is There Suffering?

“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it.”

“Well, why don’t you ask Him?”

“Because I’m afraid He would ask me the same question.”

Anonymous, as quoted by Richard Stearn, President of 'World Vision,' in his book, A Hole in the Gospel.

The temptation, upon reading this enlightening interchange, is to draw the wrong conclusion.  The temptation is to shrug cynically and conclude that indifference to suffering is a permanent and unavoidable part of human experience. It is not.

One who cares, who stays in tune with God, who puts faith in motion and works for the betterment of people in need, might not need to fear asking this question. Mother Theresa, Mohandas Gandhi, the Dalai Lama… I suspect they would not have feared the question.

Ironically, their experience working hand in hand with the divine and the suffering ones on a daily basis has usually meant that they had no need to ask. Their constant struggle to end poverty and injustice has been answer enough. They have focused on being the answer, rather than on highlighting the question.

Being the human manifestation of the God of grace and love is enough for now. When fully engaged in the work of God, the committed believer can focus on meeting present need. The involved lover of God and humanity will not often be inclined to accuse the one who gives life and the ability to do good. No, the caring person of faith will honor and respect both God and brothers and sisters, will thank God for blessings rather than blaming God for imperfections.

Not that there is anything innately wrong with questioning. With God, questioning is allowed, and sometimes leads to greater faith.  After the questions though, the believer who is fully engaged will have pressing responsibilities on which to focus as he or she works diligently with the Lord to make our world better, to make our world more just, more abundant, more joyful and more fulfilled for God's children, our brothers and sisters.

The success of love is in the loving –

it is not in the result of loving. 

Mother Teresa