The mystery of pain and anguish

Last evening's full moon

I find it painful to see a friend in anguish, and have nothing to offer her but compassion. Sometimes pain comes, and there is little I can do to alleviate it. That is when I come face to face with the mystery of powerlessness.

With that in mind, I found Bernard Bro's words helpful, "The kingdom of God is not established outside of or beyond our lives, but each day as a result of the most insignificant acts. We actually enter into collaboration with God when we begin our search for happiness."

If I can keep in mind that whatever anguish I suffer, it is building, not destroying, perhaps that would give some comfort to a suffering heart. For not all pain can be analyzed. Perhaps most cannot. It remains a mystery, that the God who we are taught is all-good can allow so much suffering in this world.

It brings to mind the verse in Jeremiah 29:11, one that has always brought me great comfort as I journey along the pilgrim way: For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope.

I have always found this verse helps put me in a state of mind that accepts the mystery surrounding life. I cannot always understand, or perhaps even often understand. But I can trust. I can believe that the kingdom of God is being established, in some mysterious way, with all that happens to me.

I know this is not a satisfactory answer. I do not pretend to give one. I only offer what has been helpful in my own search, a reminder that what I suffer is not futile; it has the ability to be turned into something. If I can only hold on to that hope.