How can truly righteous, humble, innocent people, in our Creator's eyes, suffer so much distress that they must cry out in anguish for relief to their Creator for His intervention, help and salvation?
There are two types of people who suffer in this world: those who bring various troubles and evils upon themselves, through arrogance, pride, fears or hatred, and those who unjustly suffer the slings, arrows and actions of arrogant, prideful, fearful and hateful people.
Of course there are those, though acting evilly toward others, who never appear to suffer any consequences for their corrupt actions, and there are also those -- no matter how terribly they are wronged, persecuted, or attacked unjustly -- who seem to always live blessed, protected lives and come out of every scrape or incident stronger, better off, and apparently unhurt or only minimally affected.
This does not mean they never feel anguish or distress. It merely means that they prayerfully put these matters into the capable hands of their caring Creator, and allow the peace of knowing that all things work for the good of those who trust in and obey Him to rid their hearts, minds and feelings of all such temporary troubles.
Neither does it mean innocent, righteous people don't suffer repeated assaults from vindictive, hurtful, troublesome others -- often year after year, or even decade after decade.
They often can and do, but experience has taught them to trust and wait on their heavenly Sovereign for His merciful protection, blessings and solution, who fights their battles for them in often surprising and even miraculous ways, though not always immediately or as anticipated.
Being the Creator of all people, our merciful Father in heaven also cares enough for the sinful, wicked and stubbornly rebellious to give them plenty of time, space and experience in which to turn their lives around, repent of their errors, and find His total and absolute forgiveness.
Those who refuse or fail to do so will, eventually, even if not in this present lifetime, suffer the consequences; just as those who are patiently faithful, obedient and innocent of any wrongdoing toward others cannot fail to receive His blessings in this life, or thereafter, for their humble endurance, long-suffering and unflagging belief.
Never Assume Anything
So let's say that you have a complaint against someone, or feel they are the cause of some trouble you perceive that is affecting you personally.
In order not to be guilty of causing problems yourself, and actually being the source of distress for them (human nature often sees others as being "guilty" of attitudes, actions and motives of which we are ourselves mostly guilty), here's what you should do instead:
First, listen more and talk less. The more you talk, the more you hear only your own ideas, perceptions and beliefs.
Since these can be wrong, mistaken or misinformed, the only way you'll ever know for sure is to study and carefully observe others' words, actions, attitudes and beliefs closely.
Secondly, don't assume anything and always seek clarification before you draw any conclusions. Withhold judgment on the matter, and be willing to let time pass to see if you are wrong, mistaken or misinformed about whatever seems to be upsetting you.
Appearances can be deceiving, and often you may see more the reflection of your own attitudes, beliefs or actions in someone you find difficult or troublesome.
Thirdly, check your own ego to see if it might be the source of all your conflicts. If you easily take umbrage at innocent remarks, or misconstrue someone else's motives, actions, attitudes or beliefs, could it be because you are secretly fearful, jealous, resentful, or even hateful toward them over their blessings, talents and/or abilities?
If you should give thanks for your personal blessings, as you should daily and even instantly, why would you ever curse someone else over theirs?
Are you quick to jump to negative assumptions, or even outright accusations against someone, and do you ache to tell everyone or anyone else all about your suspicions, experiences, perceptions, and real or imagined troubles related to that person?
If you act on those impulses, it is almost certain that you are actually the source of most of the problems that you are falsely accusing the target of your animosity.
Treat them fairly instead, just as you doubtless demand others should treat you!
Fourthly, look for some way -- however small, seemingly "insignificant," or "petty" -- in which you could do or say something (remembering that actions speak louder than mere words) to help this other person in some way.
Healing Yourself of Stress
Anything you can say or do to defuse a negative situation, avoid confrontation, and make peace if at all possible, is a step in the right direction, of healing not only relationships but very real health issues that result from or are made worse by such stress, including cancer itself.
Remember, even if the other person is the source of all your troubles, it just might be due to some hidden pain or anguish they are suffering, for which they may perceive that you are at least partly guilty or responsible (perhaps thanks to a heedless, careless word, action or apparent attitude of yours).
They just might relent, if you'd only make the effort to help them resolve or heal the pain they feel, if possible.
If you do this, not only will you feel better about yourself, and possibly even them, but you could also save you both a world of anguish, pain, frustration, trouble and stress, by being the problem solver, rather than getting caught up in yet another round of accusations, recriminations, suspicions, finger-pointing, hard feelings, harsh attitudes, and unresolved ire -- even if the other party is totally at fault -- that leave everyone involved constantly upset, troubled and resentful.
Those are not nice feelings or thoughts because they drain you and them, creating yet more needless stress, anguish and angst, where peaceful, joyous calm and confidence could and should be growing instead.
Weed your own garden, lest its weeds choke off any good fruits you might have otherwise had, and overgrow your neighbor's, friend's, relative's, or co-workers' "gardens" or hearts as well.
Too much stress can and does lead to sickness (first of heart, then of general health), illness and possibly even deadly cancers or mental health conditions such as bipolar and depression, once your body's immune system can no longer fight all the adrenaline and bile that results from constant conflicts.
Righteous Prayers -- The Only Sane Prescription
Pray first and act second, or not at all, upon your perceptions.
Only your Creator can possibly know -- and knows -- all the secret motives of your and their hearts, including all your hidden (perhaps unconscious or unintended) intentions, feelings, fears, hatreds or mistakes.
He is also the only one who knows all these things about everyone. So leave such matters in His capable hands to resolve.
That way, if the other person is innocent, or even if they are guilty but repent and are forgiven their trespasses, you won't be guilty of opposing your Creator's will or them, by purposely or ignorantly causing them or yourself any needless (or even possibly "deserved") distress.
Even if you suffer wrongs, but do so patiently and with genuine kindness, compassion and forgiveness in your heart toward them, you can enjoy the reward of having your Creator treat your own faults and sins accordingly.
For you only truly deserve to get exactly what you give to others.
Which is just what a compassionate Creator will give you, in the hope you will finally see the light, lighten up, and begin living a more blessed life, by becoming and truly being a blessing to others -- even your perceived enemies.
If they are truly the source and origin of your troubles, your merciful Creator knows this, and He can and will resolve the matter and issues in your favor eventually, if you are patient enough to wait on His ultimately wise and perfect solution.
Give Him the room and time He requires to work His miraculous will, and you will find a reason and good cause to rejoice, instead of weep, fume or resent.
Being A Peacemaker
Lastly, refuse to listen to any accusations, apparent first-hand experiences, or anything anybody else has to tell you about another person, unless they are present to defend themselves, and not even then unless, of course, it's a serious matter of blatant and unrepentant sin, a criminal act, or the like!
If you weren't there, and didn't witness it yourself, remember that even eyewitnesses can be entirely mistaken and inventive of memory; so distrust and do not readily believe anything negative. For even your own personal eyewitness experiences can be tainted by flawed or mistaken impressions, preoccupations, or bad assumptions, therefore how much is this not also likely of others?
Not even if everyone else, or the majority of others, seems to be on your side does this necessarily mean you are right, or that the subject of your collective or individual judgments is actually guilty.
Don't be judgmental. lest you fall into just judgment yourself, from your utterly fair and unbiased Creator.
If you want to know the real situation, have the courage and kindness to go privately and ask the subject of the slanders or libels for their side of things.
And be open-minded, attentive and retentive -- but also not foolishly naive or gullible -- to hear what they have to say. You just might learn something everyone else has overlooked, misconstrued, falsely assumed, or perhaps even wickedly imagined amiss.
Be a peacemaker, and not another troublemaker, even if others turn against you as well.
Strive to resolve and heal such issues, rather than striving over perpetuating and exacerbating them.
Then, when you are in genuine, heartfelt and urgent distress yourself, you may be pleasantly surprised and calmed to find your Creator's comforting hand resting firmly but gently upon your shoulder, to ease all your suffering and heal all your pain!