Should We Prevent Suffering?
Our culture is driven by an unhealthy desire to prevent all negative consequences. Someone might object and say, “What’s so wrong with that?” It’s a good question. Many people buy into the notion that all suffering is morally evil. Is it? What about the athlete who trains and suffers so that he/she may compete? Is that morally wrong? What about an overweight person who diets, enduring gnawing hunger pains because he/she knows it is good for his/her health? Is that morally wrong? What about a person who works long hours with great exertion under difficult conditions so he may take a month’s long vacation in Hawaii? Is that morally wrong? These cases show that suffering is not morally evil in and of itself; it depends upon the purpose of the suffering.
Now, consider this notion. What if most suffering really embodied such good purposes? That is, it contained within it a dignifying and benefic effect. Would we look at it as evil? Or would we view it as we do the suffering athlete, the hungry dieter, and the hard-working vacationer? This is the heart of what the gospel teaches about suffering. Consider Paul’s words in Romans 5:3-5: “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” God permits suffering to improve us, if we let him. If we don’t, however, it follows that suffering degenerates. So, what does this say about having faith in God? “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).