What Does Suffering Mean?

Ayako Miura, known as a Christian writer, once said the following:

“That heavy burden which I had received as something I believed to be suffering, when I opened my eyes wide and looked at it carefully, had been transformed into a wonderful gift from God. … ‘Perhaps the reason I fall ill so often is that God is actually showing me special favor.’ … Until then, I had never imagined that it was possible to live within such quiet peace. Even in facing this cancer, I was able to experience a peace that felt like joy, thinking, ‘I am especially favored by God.’”
(From the book, “The Meaning of Suffering”)

Ms. Miura testifies that the many illnesses she had considered nothing but suffering were, after she came to believe in Jesus as her Savior, received as gifts from God. She came to think that she was favored by God, and through illness she was able to “experience a peace that feels like joy.”

Why Is It Possible to Have Peace Even in Illness?

It is because of faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Bible says:

“Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.
But He was pierced for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by His wounds we are healed.”
(Isaiah 53:4–5)

Jesus is the Son of God and had no sin for which He should be blamed. Yet He was “punished, struck, and afflicted” by God, and was crucified in our place. He was “crushed for our iniquities” and shed His blood for us (Isaiah 53:4–5).

Then, on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. Therefore, anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the Savior who took the penalty for their sins, who was crucified and rose again on the third day, and who confesses their sins, will be forgiven by God. Salvation will be given to your illnesses and to your problems as well.

Ask God for the forgiveness of your sins, receive His forgiveness, and obtain true peace. Jesus has reconciled God and us (human beings) and has granted the forgiveness of all our sins (Isaiah 53:4–5).

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
(John 3:16)

God loves you and desires that you live.

“You are precious and honored in My sight, and I love you.”
(Isaiah 43:4)

To God, you are extremely precious and valuable, and He tells you, “I love you.” God does not desire that you perish, but that you live and live with joy. For that reason, God placed Jesus on the cross, paid the sacrifice, and opened the only way of salvation, giving peace and healing to all who believe.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God; believe also in Me.”
(John 14:1)

Believe in Jesus, receive forgiveness of your sins, and live. Believe in Jesus and receive rest for your soul.

If you are walking through a life filled with much suffering, God will bless that suffering as a wonderful opportunity for you to encounter Jesus and to find forgiveness of sins, peace for your soul, and true hope. Receive God’s deeper mercy. Believe that Jesus was crucified for your salvation and rose from the dead on the third day, and begin today to walk a blessed life.

“It was good for me to be afflicted,
so that I might learn Your statutes.”
(Psalm 119:71)

We pray that you will believe in Jesus in your heart and receive true peace, joy, and blessing.

If you wish to believe that Jesus is your own personal Savior, please pray as follows:

“Jesus, please forgive my sins.
You are my Savior.
I offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.”
(Amen.)

* “Amen” means, “So be it.”