We live in a world where disease and disability can cause so many problems. When adults suffer we tend to handle it almost in a lackadaisical way. However, suffering that occurs in a child is something that just hits on another level. One of the hardest things in life is to see young ones dealing with such tremendous amounts of pain and suffering. As most of us know diseases show no courtesy for the age of a person.

There are issues such as blindness, cancer, autism, and tumors to just name a few of the diseases that can affect a child and cause a massive amount of suffering on their parents.  Sometimes our human nature wants us to ask, “Why would God let this happen?” I mean how could a loving God allow these trials and tribulations to afflict our kids? Why are so many children constantly being afflicted mentally and physically?

Let’s turn to adults for just a second. Why is it that certain adults deal with physical deformities for a majority of their lives? Why does pain and suffering almost seem like a constant in the lives of parents?

Did someone in your family sin too much? Is God just out to get you?

It’s incredible to think about God’s sovereignty. The fact that God holds our entire lives in the palm of his hands is amazing. From conception in your mother’s womb, to the end of your days here on earth, you are constantly held by your Father. It is important to remember and believe in the sovereignty of God when it comes to suffering through disease and disability.

However, I realize that it is hard for us to still understand what the point is when we are going through a painful situation. It is very hard to apply 2 Corinthians 4:17, James 1:2, and Romans 8:18 when the fires of this world is hitting us at the core. In the end, what is the purpose of our loved ones going through the constant pain?

I can tell you today that there is hope in the word of Jesus Christ when it comes to disease and disability. I believe that the word of Jesus in the book of John gives us an in depth look at the purpose of suffering. It is amazing at what Jesus points at in this discussion with His disciples. The story begins in verse 1 of John 9.

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

What an incredible answer given. This has got to be the message that we believe and apply to our lives when it comes to handling disability, disease, and suffering of any kind. That the works of God might be displayed in or lives is a truth that we have got to hold on to. The fact is that Jesus is saying that our ways are the not the ways of God. We see pain and suffering just as the disciples did, as a sin that someone in our family committed or something that we have done to reap this punishment of affliction. However, the message of Christ is so much different. He is simply saying “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” He is saying that this man was born blind because God has a huge plan for His life. Disease and disability is not due to sin, but rather the work of God being displayed in your life. We can view disability and disease so much differently when we actually view it from the eyes of Christ knowing that His plan is perfect.

I have to apply this principle when I am working children’s ministry and when I am dealing with family daily. It is something that we must take a hold of and grasp on to the fact that Christ must be glorified and magnified no matter what. There is an eternal life where no pain and suffering exists. Until then, we should voice and express that in the trials and sufferings that the works of God be made manifest in our lives.