This subject carries immense importance for me, to the point where it feels as if a higher power, through the influence of Kk, has been preparing me to express these thoughts long before I fully grasped their meaning. I hold a strong belief in the transformative power of suffering; I am convinced that the challenges we face in this life ultimately lead to greater rewards in the life to come. Additionally, I propose that suffering reveals a divine mystery that frees us from our egos—those parts of ourselves that often obsess over worldly matters. Rather than a brief quest for personal satisfaction, we are engaged in an ongoing struggle. The profound reality is that we are being guided down a path that encourages us to detach from earthly distractions, steering us toward a higher way of living. I argue that this journey is not entirely within our control; we are being directed by a new perspective that can often leave us feeling bewildered. On one hand, we recognize that we lack true power, as it has not been granted to us. Thus, our advancement along this path depends on divine will, and we cannot depend on ritualistic practices or stray from our course. This highlights why Divine wisdom is far beyond human comprehension; indeed, God’s ways are higher than our own. Who among us could envision a plan in which we must decrease to progress, while God must increase, assuring us that we are empowered to act and rewarding us solely for fulfilling our designated roles? How can we gain authentic understanding while constantly grappling with confusion and doubt? We cannot escape the guiding voice of the Shepherd; it reaches us during our trials, providing a promise of salvation if we can quiet our hearts and listen to His call. If we can recognize that voice clearly and dedicate our efforts to God, while earnestly asking Him to speak liberating words to our souls, and praising Him from a heart filled with compassion that naturally reflects His love, we can start to see life’s experiences from a new vantage point. Why do we remain trapped in our own despair and self-pity? Why do we view hope as just a fleeting desire instead of embracing the eternal within our hearts? Why do we retreat into memories of the past? The answer lies in the fact that this profound mystery, the gospel revealed to us, has yet to set us free from our own limitations. A transformation is taking place as God renews us. The example of the Apostle Stephen is particularly poignant; as he faced his own death, the Scriptures depict Jesus’ face as radiant, resembling that of an angel. This image captures the divine strength that Stephen frequently described in his visions—the light of God’s glory. Stephen possessed this divine power, and I believe he witnessed this light, filled with immense joy that is beyond words. God has already created the reality of the afterlife to provide us with a glimpse of the glorious future that awaits us. We are designed to embrace the idea of letting go of everything we cherish in service to God. This does not mean that we should seek loss as an end in itself, but rather that we should remain enveloped in God’s steadfast protection, as He communicates with us clearly. We have a solid foundation from which to approach God’s throne, crying out with fervor and shedding tears. Indeed, we are naturally inclined to exalt God and to call out to Him as we navigate our way toward a clearer understanding of His abundance. If we listen closely, we will discover that something far beyond our comprehension awaits us once we have overcome the pain of death. We need to learn how to interpret our earthly experiences through the lens of this future reward. This task will not be easy; our current reality has changed dramatically from what it was before we encountered God.