Suffering Souls

Suffering Souls

Eileen Renders                  February 2024

   Most of us have visions of what heaven may be like when we finally arrive there. Happily, those visions we imagine are all good and full of harmony, peace, and joy. Therefore, we let go and do not think about heaven too much. Ironically when we have thoughts of heaven, many of us then turn our thoughts to the alternative that we all fear, and most often can not imagine what hell is like. We have vivid thoughts of fire consuming the damned, pain and suffering accompanied by ghastly screams. We certainly do not want to go there.

   Here on Earth, we have sometimes heard someone’s name mentioned, and followed by the phrase “Poor soul.” Maybe, we have known someone who has had a miserable life full of difficult losses, and they are always seen walking slowly with their eyes cast downward. We may have described them as a “tortured soul.” Also, we have heard it said; “Living with him, or she is hell on earth.” Could Earth possibly be hell on Earth for some of us? If so, then what is hell, and where exactly is it?

   Just as we do not know where heaven is exactly, although most of us like to believe it is up, many then perceive that hell is down. This likely means we reflect on words we heard such as the devil will be cast down into hell. Not a soul has ever come back to us either from heaven or hell to provide any details.

   But I do have a theory that we have it all wrong about hell. When we leave this world, regardless of where we are going, we are making that journey without a body. We will have our souls that will be judged. In heaven only all good can come to us, and as mentioned above we have no fear or reservations. Therefore, I will present my theory of hell in the way God has provided my understanding of hell.

   When we were thinking about the poor soul, the tortured soul, and the person who was hell on earth to live with, we were not speaking about one’s body, rather we were describing someone’s lack of faith, hope, and joy. A being that appears to be missing the grace of God within their soul. A lost soul who is mentally, and emotionally tortured.

   Could it be that one who has no God within their life, or soul is not just unhappy, but literally tortured because they feel isolated and hopeless?  I believe that our Creator, God in Heaven, is not cruel, or vengeful. Therefore, He would not give us a body once we have gone to the land of the dead only to place that body in an eternal fire. If you agree, then perhaps we might begin to understand that in hell one is condemned for all eternity, never to lay eyes on God, nor to see many of their loved ones. That would make hell a tortured soul for all who are sent there after the Final Judgement.

   Just thinking now about being alone and isolated, never to see the face of God. To be plagued with thoughts of all the wrong things we said and did in life and can never have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness!