Why Suffer?

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" How often do these words of Scripture come to mind when sorrow and suffering strike? A lost job, a sick child, death in the family, financial setbacks, a problem marriage, or chronic illness can find us turning to God with tears in our eyes and anguish in our hearts. Many of us were taught as children that everything that happens to us has a divine purpose, including pain and suffering. But it often is hard to see God's love and providence in pain.