Reflect upon the following questions, and answer those you feel might be most important for those who are most concerned about this topic.

QUESTIONNAIRE ON HOW TO COPE WITH SUFFERING



1- If there is a loving God, why do so many Christians and good people have to suffer so much whereas others don't? What about natural disasters?

2- In suffering, why are some people so sensitive, and others not, over the same event? Give example.

3- Much suffering is caused by physical pain, so how can one deal with this?

4- Much suffering is caused by emotional pain, so how can one deal with this?

5- Without pain, can we really grow spiritually and mentally? Do we need at least some pain to do this? a) As we grow, will the pain generally become less and less? b) Without having experienced pain to some degree, and even in a different area of life, can we really help others?

6- In suffering or pain, why does forgiveness play such an important part in the situation?

7- Do you have to forgive, if you don't condemn?

8- Can you argue with someone without condemning him or her?

9- Why is forgetfulness of the bitterness so necessary in true forgiveness? a) Can forgetfulness be accomplished by your thanking God for everything that happens to you? b) Can forgetfulness be accomplished by empathizing with the person who hurt you?

10- Do you also have to forgive institutions or situations which you've condemned in your anger?

11- Is it all right to become angry at God? What happens then?

12- Does prayer really work? Give examples. a) Is meditation really a form of prayer?

13- Does Bible reading or the memorization of Biblical verses help? Give examples.

14- Faith helps when one is suffering, but what kind of Faith and how does one get this kind of Faith?

15- If you had enough Faith, would you be suffering? If you're saved, would you be healed?

16- Should one lie in order to prevent another from suffering? Are there other situations in which lying could be acceptable?

17- I know a Christian who has never suffered, despite having some experiences that we all seem to consider as being tragic. Could you explain this? Could you really define what suffering is?

18- As Christians, some feel that we need to suffer to identify with Christ's suffering, whereas others feel that we shouldn't suffer, since Christ did the suffering for us. What do you think?

19- Do you feel excessive boredom or the creation of excessive boredom is a sin, and that this can create much suffering?

20- Do you feel that developing a general support group in your Church would help those who are suffering? One might call this a growth group.

21- Comment on some of these suggestions in coping with suffering: A- Participating in Self-Improvement Programs. B- Practicing Positive-Thought Recitations. C- Imagining you're one of your more Positive Thinking Acquaintances. D- Doing things for others. E- Participating in a Support Group. F- Visiting a Psychologist or a Psychotherapist. G- Going to a Prayer Group. H- Human cloning, or organ or gene transplanting. I- Euthanasia.

If you want an even more Biblical study on suffering turn to "The Book of Job", or if you want a more Christian-psychological approach turn to "A Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck M.D.





About the author:

Corbin Melvin Wright was born in New York City in 1931, grew up on Long Island, graduated from Roanoke College in Virginia with a BA in Political Science, and from New York Theological Seminary with a Masters in Religious Education. He was an accountant in N.Y., and an English teacher in Argentina. Presently living in Argentina. Married twice, widowed once, no children, one cat. E-mail address (corbinwr@yahoo.com).