Each morning, I begin my day reading the news from around the world, and my heart grows heavy. The stories of tragedy and suffering remind me of the brokenness of this world—a brokenness rooted in the consequence of sin entering creation. Pain and suffering were not part of God's original design but are the result of humanity’s fall in the Garden of Eden. And yet, amidst this darkness, I am reminded of the hope we have through Jesus Christ.
I cry sometimes as I read about lives lost, knowing that many perish without ever hearing the gospel of salvation. This realization drives me to my knees in prayer. I ask God in His mercy to send laborers into the harvest, to send people who will preach the good news to those who are lost. I also pray that I might be a tool in His hands, despite my own weaknesses and struggles.
The suffering in this world is immense, and I am no stranger to it. I live with illness and financial difficulties, compounded by the loneliness of feeling unsupported by even my parents. My friends from college and high school have moved on, consumed by their own lives and families. The distance leaves me feeling abandoned and aching for connection.
Recently, I came across the news of the Jeju flight crash on Sunday morning. My heart broke for the victims and their families. It brought back painful memories of losing my younger brother in 2019. Remember when the joy of their family trip to Thailand, not knowing it would be the last time they were all together. Death often comes unexpectedly, a stark reminder of our mortality and the consequences of sin that brought death into this world and our need of a savior.
As a Christian, I don’t fear death itself, though the thought of the process can be unsettling. Death for a believer is not the end but the beginning of eternal life with Christ. The Bible assures us that for those who trust in Jesus, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). In heaven, there is no more pain, suffering, or tears—only the joy of being in the presence of our Triune God: Yahweh the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
While I grieve for those lost in such tragedies, I find comfort in the knowledge that if they died in Christ, they are now in glory. Sometimes, I confess, I envy those who have gone to be with the Lord. They are free from the struggles and burdens of this life, enjoying the blessing of a glorified body and eternal fellowship with God. Meanwhile, I remain here, grappling with illness, loneliness, and feelings of inadequacy.
I know these thoughts can be sinful, a failure to trust fully in God's purpose for my life. But I want to be honest about my struggles. Living in a fallen world is hard, and the weight of sin—both ours and others’—can feel unbearable. Yet, I am reminded that God is sovereign even over our suffering. Pain has a purpose in His plan, refining us and drawing us closer to Him.
The news of tragedies like the Jeju crash grieves my heart, but it also reignites my desire to be faithful. I pray not only for the families of the victims but also for the salvation of those still living. I pray that God will raise up men and women to share the gospel boldly and that I, too, might be used as a vessel for His glory.
Pain and suffering are real, but they are not eternal. Jesus has conquered sin and death, and through Him, we have the promise of a restored creation where pain will be no more (Revelation 21:4). Until that day comes, may we persevere in faith, cling to His promises, and share the hope of the gospel with a world in desperate need of it.
If you are hurting today like I did, let us together take heart in knowing that God sees our pain. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18) and offers comfort and hope through His Son. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, and press on in the assurance of His love. Amen