The Bible says these are signs that God loves us. "Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; let the earth hear the words of my mouth" (Deut 32:1). God takes care of us as the eagle nurtures its young. The eagle builds its nest in the highest branch of the tallest tree. It builds the nest with twigs and when it is time to lay its eggs, inlays it with feathers plucked from its own body and provides a soft and cosy interior. After it lays its eggs, it hatches them. Once the eggs are hatched it flies away and fetches the food necessary for the young birdies. The eagle knows when it is time for them to fend for themselves. It pecks away the feathers inside the nest. The twigs and sticks begin to poke and pain the bodies of the chicks . They struggle and hop out of the nest. The mother eagle watches this feat. As the eaglet is about to fall with a tremor, it swiftly flies beneath the young one, with wings spread out. Supporting it on its wings, it flies high into the air and then deposits it safely in the nest. The birdie is comforted, happy. Just when it lies snugly in the nest, the mother eagle pushes it out again but never lets it fall to the ground. Again, with outspread wings it dives under the birdie and lifts it up and lands it safely in its nest. This is how it trains its young. It pushes the eaglet out of the nest not to destroy it, but rather to let it grow, that it may fly, that it may learn to feed itself. All because it loves its young ones dearly. Likewise, God who loves us, permits certain sufferings in our life in order to discipline us. "For the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts. Endure trials for the sake of discipline. God is treating you as children; for what child is there whom a parent does not discipline? If you do not have that discipline in which all children share, then you are illegitimate and not his children. Moreover , we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live?" (Heb 12:6-9). Parents discipline their children because they love them. " Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruits of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Heb 12:11). "But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world" (1 Cor 11:32).

"Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, ‘Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it for their wickedness has come up before me’"(Jonah 1:1). But Jonah did not heed God’s voice and went aboard the ship bound for Tarshish according to his own will. But when the ship was midway in the sea a storm broke out. The ship was about to break up. All on board cried out in fear. But Jonah was fast asleep on the deck as if he knew nothing. The captain awoke Jonah. When lots were cast to find out who had gone against God’s will, the lot fell on Jonah. "Then the men were even more afraid, and said to him, ‘What is this that you have done!’ For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them so"(Jn 1:10 ). They picked him up and cast him into the sea. The sea grew calm. Those on board were saved. God appointed a large fish to swallow Jonah. In the depths of the sea, in the belly of the fish, Jonah acknowledged his sins before God. God heard his cry. As per God’s will, the fish vomited him out on the shores of Niniveh. Jonah gave God’s message to the people of Niniveh. Every individual who does not obey God’s will, has the experience of Jonah-tempest and danger of shipwreck in the midst of the voyage. God allowed those events to transform Jonah into one who would obey God’s commands. Similarly, when we forget God and live as we will, God may allow some suffering or trial in our life in order to prevent us from being condemned, that we may turn to God and attain the salvation of our souls.

King David said thus about the sufferings God allowed in his life: "It is good for me that I was humbled, so that I might learn your statutes"(Ps 119:71). He was aware that all his suffering led him to obey God’s ways and laws. All the servants of God were led by him through numerous tribulations. This is what the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph and Moses tell us. They were purified in the crucible of suffering and then used by God for great things. "Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient" (Sir 2:4).

Jesus entered into his glory though his passion and death on the cross. "Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation" (1 Pet 2:2). When, therefore, suffering comes our way, let us remember that it is to prepare us for some great plan of God and so praise him for it, asking him to reveal his plan for us, "Ascribe majesty to his name and give thanks to him with praise, with songs on your lips, and with harps; this is what you shall say in thanksgiving" (Sir 39:15).