Suffering

Religious types will have us believe that suffering is a good thing. Take the following from a popular-music radio station in Greenville, SC. My mother-in-law died after a painful struggle with cancer. Let's see how these glib one-liners shape up in real life.

1. Suffering comes with the freedom to choose.
My mother-in-law had no choice in the matter.
2. Pain can warn us of danger.
It did warn her, she couldn't do anything about it though.
3. Suffering reveals what is in our hearts.
She never had trouble expressing what was in her heart.
4. Suffering takes us to the edge of eternity.
It took her to the edge of existence, then over the border.
5. Pain loosens our grip on this life.
This was true in her case. It was not a good thing.
6. Suffering gives opportunity to trust God.
Not sure it's worth the cost.
7. God suffers with us in our suffering.
Poor God. If only there was something he could do about it.
8. God's comfort is greater than our suffering.
It most certainly was not in my mother-in-law's case.
9. In times of crisis, we find one another.
We had already found her. She was right there.
10. God can turn suffering around for our good.
He failed miserably in our case.

Maybe they should re-think this 'good suffering' tack!