Lost One

Pain and suffering, misery and tears. Everyone has experienced them all in one form or another.
Many people blame God, becoming angry at Him for allowing so many to suffer so long. 
I am reminded of Israel,trapped in slavery in Egypt----the untold horror probably was similar to Nazi death camps, at least the work section of the camps. 400 years passed,longer than the US has been the US. An incredibly long period of time. The suffering seemed endless. 
Yet two things happen that I can think of. There was a great fertility blessing on the Israelites. I suspect, too, a low maternal mortality rate. 
The second was Moses. Moses, who wrote the laws down as given by God, led and was a prophet for Israel. 
It is said throughout scripture that we are in the time and place we should be. Why Israel needed 400 years of slavery, I do not know. Perhaps, considering the ease with which they turned to Baals, they would have been too inclined for this sin earlier.  Or the people's living in the Promised Land were the wrong groups---not that God would have been unable to manage it all.  No one knows but God. 
However,Moses entered the scene, helping to set down the guidelines for Israel by God's order, but better yet, he helped set up the expectations for the Messiah. 
Suffering also makes me think of the parable of the lost sheep. I'm not sure how to word this....but that the lost sheep is perhaps each of us when we are suffering, be it emotional, mental, physical. To me this stands out as example that we are never left alone to face these things---He will come comfort us in these times if we ask, that He will gather us under His wings and comfort us with His great love. 
"What of the 99 left in the fold?" I think this, in a look at suffering, gives us a hint. A big hint. While we are suffering, we are safe in His fold, His love. But further, we should note that the sheep are not alone. There are 99 of them, milling about together. 
When we are suffering, we should be able to find some comfort in others. We should be able to help comfort others with the love of God, the love He has shown us in various struggles. Not all struggles are the same, but if compassion and empathy are missing, we are missing a big part of our duty to one another. 
To think of it another way...if we cannot comfort one another in the faith, show His love and peace to one another...how can we ever possibly expect to show those not of the faith?
We are never alone in our pain. Regardless of the difficulties we may face, He is always willing, and in fact by Scripture desires (psalms and new testament) to hold us close. Ask; I have found Him always willing to provide peace, strength, joy...and be overwhelmingly surrounded by His love.