I have a close friend who suffers daily with migraine headaches. He told me last night that during some of these episodes he goes into his bedroom and sits in the dark with a wet towel over his head. It helps a little he said. He has been through every therapy there is for migraines and he has visited numerous specialists. Yet he has found no relief and his migraines seem to be getting worse. He has sought spiritual help through prayer and fasting but he still suffers with this agony.
In these kinds of circumstances it is normal for all of us to ask God “Why?” To try to find some logical reason for this difficulty. Books and books by Christians have been written trying to explain the reasons for suffering. The Bible does say some things about suffering and how it can transform us and produce character in us but try telling that to my friend and to others who are suffering tremendous pain and agony. It sounds so trite and hollow.
Accepting circumstances that I cannot change is one of life’s greatest challenges. I am always looking for solutions, logic and a way out of difficulty. Sometimes there are none or they are not yet available. The difficulty of living with circumstances that are very difficult is horrific but sometimes necessary. The only way I know how to do this as a Christian is to trust God with it one day at a time.
I will not say this to my friend. He does not need me to lecture him about how to go through his agony. I have no idea what he is going through. I am praying fervently for him.
For those of you going through tremendous pain or suffering, I am so sorry. May God have mercy and alleviate it. For those of you who know others going through it, come alongside them and be a good friend. Sometimes those going through difficulty just want someone there. This was the failure of Job’s friends. They sat with Job for a long time but then began to express their opinions about why he is going through his great suffering. Afterwards, God said they were totally wrong.
Be slow to give your opinions and solutions to those suffering unless you are asked. And then give them with much humility and trepidation.
Suffering is one of the mysteries of life. It is okay sometimes to tell someone in need, “I just don’t know.”