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Who Said It Is The Same For Everybody?
A man read an article in the paper stating that there were at least five hundred causes for headaches. The next time he went to the doctor, he asked him, “How many causes are there for headaches?” He replied, “A lot of them.” The man asked, “Could there be as many as five hundred?” “I don’t know, but there are a lot of them,” the doctor said. “Then what does it mean when someone comes to you and you ask about the symptoms, and they say, ‘I have a headache?’” he asked. “It means that something is wrong,” the doctor answered.
The doctor’s answers illustrate the causes or combination of causes for the reason people suffer. When we ask why people suffer, we seem to imply that there is one simple, easy-to-find answer that will fit every case. Such is not the case. Who said it was the same for everybody? Just as there are many causes for a headache, so it is for what causes suffering.
We may suffer because of our own sins. The way of the transgressor is hard (Proverbs 13:15). If a man gets drunk and provokes a fight and is injured, he has brought suffering upon himself. If a person loses his temper and creates a problem with others, he has to bear the consequences himself. Never can suffering be blamed on someone else when our own sins have caused us trouble.
We may suffer because of the sins of others. Innocent people suffer because of the troubles others have created. A drunken driver could cause a head-on collision killing someone who was not drinking. Jesus Christ suffered at the hands of cruel men and no fault was found in Him (1 Peter 3:18).
We may suffer because of natural disaster. Jesus said the sun shines and the rain falls upon the evil and the good (Matthew 5:45). Earthquakes, tornadoes, forest fires floods, storms, etc. are all natural disasters which bring destruction, losses, and suffering. All mankind is under the same law. These things are not partial in the destruction they cause.
We may suffer because of ignorance. Never believe the saying, “What you don’t know won’t hurt you!” You may have heard some say, “If I had only known…” “If I had only known that disease was contagious. If I had only known it would cause…” If I had only known. Think of the suffering that could be avoided if people would take time to know and understand certain facts.
We may suffer because of an ungodly attitude. Do you realize how much suffering is attributed to worry, fear, anxiety, or just a bad attitude in general? Pessimism has caused a lot of needless suffering. When people expect the worst, it often comes. To some people, there is something bad in everything. There are few things, if any, for which they are grateful. Not only do they suffer, it causes everyone around them to suffer. Think too about those who are thin skinned and wear a chip on their shoulder. If they feel slighted, neglected, or hurt, they suffer and so does everyone else. This suffering is preventable if only those involved would completely overhaul their attitude. More later...
