The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.  These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen. Here are some beautiful thoughts inspired by the writings of Keith Phillips.
Most people try not to think about it more than they have to, but there’s no denying it: There’s a lot of suffering in the world. Innocents are killed, maimed (disfigure), and made homeless in cruel and unjust wars.

More suffer the same in natural and manmade disasters. One of the greatest questions that has plagued the world for ages is "why disasters?" Why earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, wars and famines that wipe out tens of thousands of people. And why does it so often seem to strike the poor and the needy and the helpless and children and the innocent? Cancer, AIDS, and other diseases claim millions of lives each year, often after months or years of pain. There’s no end to it.

Some people ask: Why does life have to be this way? It’s the age-old question: Why does God—if there is a God—allow suffering? There is no simple, universal answer to that. There is a God and He does allow suffering, but His reasons and purposes are nearly as numerous and varied as the sufferers themselves.

One thing is certain, however: How people come through suffering or react to the suffering of others depends largely on their faith. Those who have no faith usually go down in despair, but those who have implicit faith in a just and loving God call out to Him in their time of need, tap into His infinite resources, and find the grace and strength to rise above their pain and loss.

Suffering often brings out the best in those who choose not to become embittered or hardened, and engenders love, tenderness, goodness, and concern for others. The Bible says, "We comfort others with the comfort that we ourselves are comforted with [by] God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). Often those who turn to God for comfort and strength in their suffering later want to point others to the One who can also ease their sufferings and help them solve their problems—God and His love.

Little is known about the personal suffering of Frank E. Graeff (1860–1919), but he must have been writing from experience when he penned his now famous hymn, “Does Jesus Care?” The pain he expresses is too real to have been mere fabrication, and only one who has been there could express the truth and hope found in the refrain so victoriously. “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief. … I know my Savior cares!” The song is now playing and printed below.

And the best news is that one day soon, God's Word promises, all suffering will come to an end for those who love God. Jesus is going to return to rescue His own from all suffering and whisk them off to Heaven, where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, for all these things will be passed away (Revelation 21:4).

By Tim Pedrosa

 

Does Jesus Care (now playing) Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth or song, As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long? Refrain: Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near? Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong; When for my deep grief there is no relief, Though my tears flow all the night long? Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye” To the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks— Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Consult not your fears but your hopes and dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what is still possible for you to do.---Pope John XXIII