Having Faith Inspite of Suffering

Almost a year ago today, a friend of mine was diagnosed with an ovarian cancer, besides suffering from diabetes. But all along, I never heard her complain of anything. She was always jovial and friendly. Her faith in God has never wavered in spite of her suffering. In fact, her faith has deepened even more since she was diagnosed with her illness. She was the opposite of me. When I was diagnosed with my illness, I complained a lot. I used to ask why God has given me this cross. I got depressed, became unhappy, and I isolated myself. Now I feel better, thank God. But what amazed me was that my friend was and is able to carry her cross with so much poise and dignity. I know she was and is suffering greatly and yet she is able to carry herself with such love and acceptance. How does she do this? The only answer I could surmise is because she has a deep faith in God and has a loving husband and family who support her. God and her family, I am sure, have kept her going. Up to now, she is undergoing treatment. I am glad though she is feeling better. I am praying everyday for her healing. But her story did not stop there. Yesterday I received an email from her telling me that her husband has just been diagnosed with brain tumor called Glioblastoma ( the most malignant of all brain tumors), and it is already stage 1V. Her husband will start his chemo and radiation therapy for thirty (30) sessions, Monday to Friday, starting July 28th. What an amazing challenge my friend has to face in life. If there is any heavier cross other than this, what is? But inspite of this overwhelming trial and burden they are currently facing, my friend and her husband have not lost hope. They have not lost faith. They are indeed incredible people. I ask you to include them in your prayers.

I am writing here my friend’s story because she has given me so much inspiration. I am sure that her story and that of her husband can also inspire others who may be undergoing the same or similar illness. How they are able to move on, carry their cross, and accept their suffering with dignity is just for me beyond understanding. I know it’s easy to say that we need to carry our cross. But when the cross is heavy and overwhelming, we realize it is not so easy after all to carry our burden. We need to have faith in God to believe that after the cross and suffering, there will also be light and resurrection. And what is the basis of our faith in the resurrection? Is this simply a blind adherence to something unknown? Or, is this just a way to console ourselves in order to make our suffering more bearable? Not at all. We believe in it because Christ showed us the way. He set an example for all of us. If we are suffering now, Christ suffered more. He was hanged and nailed to the cross , and deserted by his friends. He died like a criminal. His friends thought that Jesus’ death simply meant defeat. But to everyone’s surprise, after three days in the bowels of the earth, he rose from the dead and was alive again. Yes, resurrection is possible and certain for those who believe in Jesus.

The same is true with the events of our life. The great philosopher Camus said that “life is a series of suffering.” But this statement is not an absolute truth. Yes, in this life we sometimes face suffering. But life is not at all suffering. It is much more. The Chinese people speak of the ‘Yin and Yang.’ Life can also be compared to ‘Yin and Yang.’ It has two faces, the good and the bad, happiness and suffering, joy and sadness – whatever you call it. This is the basic truth. That is why it is true what they say that life is like a wheel. It is moving continuously on a circular motion. You may feel sad today, but tomorrow your mood may change differently. So it is with life. If you are suffering now (of whatever kind), be assured that someday or the other, you will also see the light. This is not just a theoretical conclusion. It is a fact and a basic truth.

Sometimes when we are the ones personally experiencing suffering or trials, it is very difficult to see the light. But God is just and fair. He knows us and knows our needs. He takes care of us no matter what happens. We just have to believe and trust in His goodness. God is a loving God who will never abandon His children. I know it is not always easy to know and understand the will of God. Sometimes we cannot understand why there is suffering in the world. Or, why people suffer? But suffering is a fact of human existence. Sometimes we just have to accept it and trust that God will take care of us. But we need faith and strong will power to do this.

We pray today for God’s grace and strength that we may be courageous to face our own trials in life. I would like to remember in a special way to pray for my friend and her husband, that as they face this very difficult and challenging moments in their lives, they will continue to hold on to their faith and believe that God will take care of them. And at the end of this long and difficult journey, they will also be able to see the light and experience resurrection.