God’s Presence in Suffering Through People and Gratitude

Introduction

Suffering often provokes the question: “Where is God?” When we are weighed down by pain, silence, and confusion, God’s presence may seem distant. Yet, He often reveals Himself not through dramatic miracles, but quietly—through people who care, listen, and walk with us. As Mother Teresa once said, “Some people come into our lives as blessings, others as lessons.” But in both, we can encounter God.[1]

Emmons and McCullough (2004) note that gratitude opens our hearts to see life differently—even in difficulty. When we embrace gratitude, we become more aware of God’s hidden, healing presence, especially in others.[2]

Theological Insight

Scripture and the Catechism affirm that God is revealed through love and human relationships. Hebrews 13:2 reminds us: “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”[3] 1 John 4:12 adds, “If we love one another, God lives in us.”[4] CCC 1878 tells us that human beings are called to communion and community,[5] while CCC 357 teaches that being made in God’s image enables us to reflect His love to others.[6]

Saint John Paul II, in Salvifici Doloris, explains that suffering is not meaningless. When united with Christ, it becomes redemptive. And often, the healing God offers in suffering comes through those He sends into our lives.[7]

Pastoral Encounter: Ved

During my CPE experience in a youth center, I met Ved, a young man whose views were shaped by broken family experiences and distorted media influence. He believed drug use and sexual activity were part of normal youth life. His questions surprised me: “Nakagamit pod ka ana, ya no?” (Have you tried that, bro?) and “Naka-ana pod ka, ya?” (You've had sex too, right, bro?).

I realized then how distorted one's moral compass can become when community and family fail to reflect God’s character. Ved didn’t need judgment—he needed people who could model love, truth, and healing. He needed to encounter God through us.

Pastoral Encounter: Fen

In another encounter, I met Fen, a quiet woman who bore deep emotional pain. She often sat alone, saying very little, his eyes filled with sadness. One afternoon, I asked if she was okay. She simply nodded and whispered, “Okay ra man ko, Kuya.” But over time, our silent presence and small conversations slowly opened him up.

I began to understand how presence—just being there—can be a channel of God’s comfort. Fen didn’t need profound words; she needed someone to stay, to listen, to care. Through that journey, I realized how God uses our presence to say, “I am here with you.”

Conclusion

Both Ved and Fen taught me this truth: God reveals Himself through people—through presence, compassion, and truth. In suffering, we are not abandoned. God comes to us in the people He sends, and in the people we are called to become for others.

Gratitude helps us recognize these moments—not as coincidences, but as divine encounters. May we grow in gratitude, so we may not only see God in others but also allow others to see God in us.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, R. E. S.S.,. Fitzmyer, J. A. SJ., & Murphy, R. E., O.Carm., THE NEW JEROME BIBLICAL COMMENTARY, ®1990, 1968 by Prentice Hall, Inc. A Division of Simon & Schuster Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632

EMMONS, R. A & MCCULLOUGH, M. E, The Psychology of Gratitude, Oxford University Press, 2004, Copyright © 2004 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 www.oup.com https://dl.icdst.org/pdfs/files4/4076702af7f750e40dc353542cf67f96.pdf

Hadid, Y., Brainy Quote, Yolanda Hadid Quote, Copyright 2001-2025, Accessed on May 12, 2025, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/yolanda_hadid_872005

Hebrew, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, ©2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Accessed on June 11, 2025, https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/13

1 John, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, ©2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Accessed on June 11, 2025 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4

Pope John Paul, CCC # 1878, Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church: revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul

Pope John Paul, CCC # 357, Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church: revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul

Pope John Paul II, Salvific Doloris Latin for the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering (1984), Accessed on May 12, 2025, https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-iiapl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.pdf

[1] Yolanda Hadid, Brainy Quote, Yolanda Hadid Quote, Copyright 2001-2025, Accessed on May 12, 2025, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/yolanda_hadid_872005
[2] EMMONS, R. A & MCCULLOUGH, M. E, The Psychology of Gratitude, Oxford University Press, 2004, Copyright © 2004 by Oxford University Press, Inc. Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 www.oup.com https://dl.icdst.org/pdfs/files4/4076702af7f750e40dc353542cf67f96.pd
[3] Raymond E. Brown, S.S., Joseph A. Fitzmyer, SJ., & Roland E. Murphy, O.Carm., THE NEW JEROME BIBUCAL

COMMENTARY, ®1990, 1968 by Prentice Hall, Inc. A Division of Simon & Schuster Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

07632
[4] 1 John, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, ©2025 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Accessed on June 11, 2025 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1john/4
[5] CCC # 1878, Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church: revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul
[6] CCC # 357, Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church: revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul
[7] Pope John Paul II, Salvific Doloris Latin for the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering (1984), Accessed on May 12, 2025, https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-iiapl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.pdf