CS Lewis wrote a book called The Problem of Pain after he lost his wife to cancer. Up until that time his faith was largely intellectual but the pain of a great loss put his faith to the test.

Millenia ago Job, a righteous man, was put to the test because Satan told God that Job would curse him if all of the good things in his life were taken from him. God let Satan test Job's faith and while Job cracked he never totally broke. God never told Job why he was tested but he did restore Job's belongings and his health. The point of that book is that God is so much wiser than us that we can't judge him when he allows our faith to be tested.

Having said that I must admit that I've been in so much pain that I have considered cursing God and killing myself. Job's wife told her husband to curse God and die but he didn't do that and so far I haven't taken that route either.

What's the point? The point is that even if we were all in excellent health (and I pray that we reach that point) someday we will die and leave this world behind. What happens then? Some think that we simply cease to exist but I don't believe that. The very fact that we exist points to the existence of some higher power and I believe that higher power is the God described in the Bible.

The point is that we are as fallen and hopeless as the evil men that put us in this desperate situation. Without the blood of Jesus Christ we must all face the wrath of God someday.

I'm going outside the focus of this forum but I think that Russ and Laura won't mind because they are Christians and their ultimate goal, like mine, is to see that you all get to heaven.

Since I started this thread I felt like I needed to say something and this is what I feel God has led me to say.