Making Sense of Suffering

Is there really any sense to be made of suffering?  It sounds like a comforting concept, but when reality settles in, it is much harder in practice than in theory to make much sense of suffering, whatever form that suffering takes.  I have discovered this truth however...it is much easier to be the one suffering that to watch a loved on go through a terrible trial. A friend said one time that a mother can only be as happy as her most unhappy child.  There is truth in that statement.
Jake had his MRI scheduled after they returned from our Bear Lake vacation.  It was a shocking surprise to all of us that a new brain tumor was discovered in the MRI. Say what?  Nooooooooo!!
Surgery was scheduled for four days later and again Jake submitted himself to brain surgery and again Jordan sat by his side.  The tumor was successfully removed but an uncertain future remains.  What can anyone say or do at a time like this?  I have felt so helpless to offer any words of comfort or relief to our sweet daughter and her good husband.  All  I knew to do was to work and keep busy, stay positive and help relieve some of the daily pressures by working and helping at their home. It is such a small thing when really what is needed are answers to those deep gut-wrenching questions that are not easily answered.  What can be said or done to give any relief to Jordan and Jake with the heavy burden they are facing physically, emotionally and spiritually?  With an unknown future and unknown suffering ahead, what sense can be made of this trial?
I don't know what else to do but to pray and ask for peace and comfort.  Prayer always brings a measure of peace even if it doesn't change the circumstances or take away the pain.  Talking to our Heavenly Father and asking for his help to get through another day takes on new meaning.  Talking to another person also seems to help.  Dear friends and family who are sincerely interested and who know how to be good listeners and help ease the burden.  Dealing with reality, even hard realities, is better than pretending and avoiding the truth.
Optimism is also important.  We are in charge of our own attitudes and our own optimism.  Yes, we get down and yes there are days and times when we feel we just can't go on.  But at the end of the suffering, we MUST return to hope.  There is no other answer.  There is no other road to follow.  Yes we need time to process, to go through the stages of grief, to mourn our losses, to feel fear and anger and to be scared.  But at the end of the day, we throw ourselves at the feet of Him who knows all things and ask for his comfort and sweet peace that all will be well.  Eventually. 
We place our faith in His plan.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, we are so fortunate to know that He has a plan for each of us.  We aren't just down here suffering needlessly.  There is purpose to trials and suffering.  We can ask for comfort and warmth to surround us, much like the picture shows an angel comforting the Savior.  We are never alone if we seek God's comfort.
I was recently looking for words of encouragement and came across these words from the teachings of President Lorenzo Snow:

• Every man and woman who serves the Lord, no matter how faithful they may be, have their dark hours; but if they have lived faithfully, light will burst upon them and relief will be furnished.
•  If we succeed in passing through the approaching fiery ordeals with our fidelity and integrity unimpeached, we may expect at the close of our trials, a great and mighty outpouring of the Spirit and power of God - a great endowment upon all who shall have remained true to their covenants.
• You and I cannot be made perfect except through suffering: even Jesus could not.
• There is no other way in which the Saints can make spiritual improvement and be prepared for an inheritance in the celestial kingdom than through tribulation. 
• Be of good cheer - be not disheartened, for assuredly the day rapidly comes when your tears shall be dried, your hearts comforted, and you shall eat the products of your labours.
• Every trial a man or woman goes through...at the end of the trial or affliction that individual is nearer to God, nearer in regard to the increase of faith, wisdom, knowledge and power, and hence is more confident in calling upon the Lord for those things he desires.  God will pour out his Spirit upon us, and we will come off victorious in the end.