I was reading some posts by someone who has had a hard time with their mental health for years. They apologized for what they termed "crazy posting" and I felt bad and left a nice comment. But I also quietly found myself asking God whether this person will get well: are they doomed to this ill health indefinitely?

Because I know Jesus said you will always have the poor among you. But I think that somewhere deep down we believe that all Christians will have a blessing some day. Certainly God may not heal everyone. But come on, can't he give Susan a few bucks? Can't he give Joe a few days of mental clarity, where he's not tormented by voices from his own head?

I think that instead, though, it may do our theology good to consider that some people are destined to always suffer in this life. That a theology of self-improvement and deliverance has value in theory, and that we hope for salvation, but that we also accept that some of us will have a permanent cross to bear, will be slaves in this life. And at minimum we understand it is not their fault, they are not cursed by God. But at maximum we agree to bond to them in the fellowship of suffering. We agree to not turn away, to hide our frustration, disgust, and sorrow in front of them as best we can. Are we not all the least of these in the cosmic spiritual sense? Are we not all waiting for death to become truly glorified, sanctified, and transformed?