The Necessity of Suffering April 23, 2019 “Were it not for suffering, millions of human beings would never develop an atom of affection. It is folly to conclude that a thing ought not to be done because it hurts. There are powers to be born, creations to be perfected, and sinners to be redeemed all through the ministry of pain that could not be born, perfected, or redeemed in any other way.” — George MacDonald (1824-1905)