Title: Regarding the Illnesses of Children… Question/Comments: Okay, even if it is accepted that little kids are compensated by eternal bliss, when inflicted in this world by illnesses like cancer, what about relatively minor sufferings like flu, colds, coughs, et cetera? I do not disagree that such instances are tests for the adults, but look at it from the perspective of say, a week or a month old baby. Illnesses like flu and fever can be very painful for them. Eventually, it is hoped, they will come through and live a long life, but why are there such instances that torture little kids? After all, it is not imaginable that God will be testing them, so...? Please elaborate. Saadia Malik Pakistan Answer: It is very difficult to accept something that can sometimes be beyond the scope of our human capacity. People have posed this question over the centuries because the limitations we, as humans, inherently posses. In creating this universe, God designed an interwoven network of galactic and terrestrial elements. The most obvious example of the galactic is the sun in our solar system. It nourishes the land, provides light and is even beneficial to the human body in producing vitamin D. Yet, stay in the sun too long without protection, and you may burn yourself and potentially cause yourself skin cancer. The more terrestrial example would be germs or the example you gave of colds and the flu. Catch a cold and your body feels weak and tired. Your nose runs, headaches etc... However, there is a benefit afterwards in that your immune system strengthens itself. Not only that but part of the reason human beings have advanced so far is the mere fact that we are challenged. We take on these challenges and create medicines, therapies, etc... The point is not a medical or scientific one or even a philosophical one. The point is that of a reality in which the world is full of challenges that we as humans need to overcome. What is the point of a test if we don't have challenges; that defy our understanding; weakens our faith then strengthens them or vice versa; causes us great depression and great pleasure. This is the spice of life. This is how we become who we are. In your example you pose infants as unwary recipients of certain "challenges." You may as well have mentioned the genes they were given, or the environment they were brought into or so many other objections that in reality our existence would have to be as that of robots in order to satisfy such questions. Robots feel no pain, no love, no happiness, no sadness and they don't get sick. A child is a human being that must go through the rites of passage of being born. The child's cold will eventually leave him/her thereby strengthening the baby's body. It is all a process. If we didn't have this process the world wouldn't exist as we know it. We wouldn't be who we are. I would even dare to say that if we had it like robots we'd probably complain why we lead such mundane lives. The gift of life is a blessing. Our very existence, including our very imperfections, should make us realize how blessed we are. What joy it is to be an imperfect human. - Anonymous The answer to your question is not a mere one child with a cold question, but rather it's a questioning of the general makeup of existence. I believe I have explained, in my very limited capacity, that there are incredible intricacies to this universe that rely on one another. No one is capable of taking every single thing into account so our judgments are limited to our selves and that which we've encountered. Just as a child is born so must the child develop; even if this means getting sick or whatever else happens to that child. The development is part of its gift of existence. Where we can find solace is in the conviction that our God is a Merciful, Compassionate and Loving Creator who does not forsake his creations. Even though sometimes it may seem to our limited understanding that we are dealing with great torment. No one, and not even everyone that has ever existed, can ever care for that child more than our Endearing God. After all it is He who gave us the mental capacity to question our present condition. I hope I have clarified the issue God knows best Ronnie Hassan March 6, 2003