Suffering: A Problem or a Mystery?

SUFFERING: A PROBLEM OR A MYSTERY?

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

            Problems and mysteries are part of human living. But what is exactly the difference between a problem and a mystery? There are not many clear cut answers to this question but perhaps what Gabriel Marcel says could in some way help us arrive at an understanding between a problem and a mystery. According to him, a problem is that which can be solved while in a mystery, one may not have the answers to one’s questions but yet he or she is called to live with it.

            Suffering can be understood or taken in both ways, depending on the situations or circumstances in which one may find one’s self in. When a person has lost his or her loved one and then asks, “Why me Lord? What did I do to deserve this?” There is no clear cut answer in such situations. This is a kind of suffering. But suffering, in this sense, becomes a mystery. We will not find the complete answers to it but yet we are called to live with it. On the other hand, if my finger is cut and if it causes me pain (which it obviously will), suffering in this sense becomes a problem. For although there is pain eventually it will become alright. There are many examples that can be given in this regard but I think the examples mentioned prove a point to show what I or rather what Gabriel Marcel says about problem and mystery,. This certainly gives a vivid perspective as to how suffering can be taken as problem or a mystery.

            To a large extent, I guess suffering has a mysterious connotation to it for ultimately who are we? God knows what is best for each of us and sometimes what may seemingly be painful is actually the source of one’s growth. In this regard, it would be interesting to talk about temptations. Temptations can at times be a great source of suffering. But yet looking on the other side, it can be a good incentive for one’s spiritual growth. For example, Rick Warren in his book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, says that temptations can be a good way of reminding that God wants us to grow in a particular virtue corresponding to that particular vice or temptation. Like, if I feel tempted to avoid my work, it is like God indirectly telling me that I need to buckle up and pull my socks up and start working, as Leon Bloy would put it, “Suffering enters into the human heart to create places that did not  exist before so that God may enter in and fill it.”

            I would like to conclude this reflection with a poem that I came across some time ago about suffering,


I asked God for strength
That I might endure
I was made weak
That I might learn humbly to obey

I asked God for health
That I may do great things
I was given infirmity
That I may do better things

I asked God for riches
That I might be happy
I was given poverty
That I might be wise.

I asked God for power
That I may have the praise of people
I was given weakness
That I might feel the need for God

I asked for all things
That I may enjoy life
I was given life
That I may enjoy all things

I got nothing that I asked for
But everything that I hoped for
Almost despite myself
My unspoken prayers were answered

I among all people

most richly blessed.

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