Pain & SufferingSample

Eternity in our hearts

The question of suffering is age-old and has been explored by theologians, mystics, stoics and philosophers for millennia, but have you ever wondered why this question is so prevalent across all of humanity?

Perhaps our inability as humans to accept suffering as part of everyday life is because somewhere deep down, we know we shouldn’t. Suffering is not part of God’s original created order. It was never meant to be a part of life. And despite our best efforts, we cannot really, truly accept its place here among us.

To place ‘eternity in the human heart’ is to be given the gift of an eternal perspective; a future where there will be no suffering; a new heaven, and a new earth (Revelation 21:3–4).

A pastor once illustrated the concept of an ‘eternal perspective’ to me by pulling a bundle of wool out of his bag and dropping it to the floor. He then picked up one of the ends, held it between his fingers and said, ‘This millimetre I’m holding at the end of this 50-metre piece of wool represents our life on earth in comparison with what is to come. It’s all about perspective.’

In wrestling with the concept of pain and suffering and walking closely with many who have experienced too much for too long, I have not yet found myself in a place of acceptance, but perhaps I am not meant to. What I have found, however, is the gift of hope in the promises we find in scripture that tell us that one day there will be no more. It is there my soul finds its rest.

Written by LUCY WEIL