A timely and poignant perspective on affliction and suffering as our world struggles with increasing turmoil on many fronts.  While some evolutionary religions believe suffering to be punishment by God for misbehavior, the expanded teachings of Fifth and Continuing Fifth Epochal Revelation (The URANTIA Book and The Cosmic Family volumes) clarify that it is the natural consequences of the cosmic laws of cause and effect when choices or decisions are made that are out of divine pattern.

“The greatest affliction in the universe is never to have been afflicted.” ~ The URANTIA Book

Niánn Emerson Chase shares her troubles as a youth with the suffering in the world, and the process of shifting her perspective as she grew spiritually to understand the purpose of affliction.  When we turn to God in our pain we can become more compassionate, sensitive, and less judgmental.  When we allow a change of mind about affliction and can see the blessing in our struggles, our suffering is lessened.

See The URANTIA Book, Paper 148, Section 5