I am a Christian. And this is going to be kinda long.
I started out attending Catholic church with my parents. Later we moved to the country and started attending a Methodist church. I then started attending another small Christian church as a teen.
I was unhappy and started looking for other relgious answers. Bhuddism, transcendental meditation, science, humanisim, atheism, etc. They all sounded kind of reasonable to me at one point or another. I also experimented with drugs as a way of expanding my mind, since it seemed like a good way to get closer to God, or whatever was out there controlling the universe.
During one of these wonderful drug experiments I almost died. Quite exciting at the time. They had to get 4 men to hold me down while they pumped my stomach. I guess I wasn't real cooperative.
During another one I was with a Christian friend at my girlfriends house. He was high and so was I. for some reason he started telling me about Christ and salvation. I wasn't interested and didn't want to hear it. Actually I couldn't face him as it felt like a huge invisible hand had grabbed me and turned me away whenever I tried to look at him. The force physically turned my body to the left, (counterclockwise) when I tried to look at him, Carl was his name. It was very powerful.
Anyway he kept going telling me about God and Jesus Christ and salvation through the blood of Jesus, the Son of God. Sounded like a bunch of stuff I didn't want to hear to me. But at some point it all changed, and I suddenly felt different. I believed, and was grateful to God for the chance to be saved by his mercy. And the invisible force that was holding me let go and I could turn to face my friend.
That day I was saved and began a long road to change. I didn't become perfect or something and am still not, or even close. But God worked on me and got me away from drugs and other things. Not that I wanted to change, but it was needed. I was headed down a bad path.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not a holy roller type and don't try to convert every person I run into. I don't even go to church very often. God doesn't live just in churches, he is everywhere that believers are. And he can be with you no matter where you are now or how you are feeling. People are small and have limits but God has none.
Regarding suffering in this world, I think this passage from Corintians is interesting. Paul the apostle is talking about his suffering and asking for relief.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Corinthians+12&version=NIV
2 Corinthians 12
New International Version (NIV)
Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
End quote
I look at life as a school, and we are here to learn how to be better people. Not supermen or women, but better spiritually and morally. And we all have a way to go on that front. But God is willing to meet us and drag us into the light if we are willing to ask for help. Or sometimes even if we don't ask.
I think this verse illustrates God's love for people and desire for us to be saved very well.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+33:11&version=KJV
Ezekiel 33:11
King James Version (KJV)
1 1 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
End quote
I think the following verses are some of the most beautiful promises ever made to man. In fact the whole of Roman's 8 is an amazing series of inspiring promises. I encourage you to read it.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+8&version=KJV
Romans 8
King James Version (KJV)
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
End quote
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+3&version=KJV
Revelation 3
King James Version (KJV)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
End quote
Well, if you are still with me, I hope you will consider these verses, and read them for yourself. It doesn't matter where you are right now in your religious beliefs. God is willing to help you find his mercy and love. Give him a chance, and give yourself a chance.
I pray for all of you, may he keep you and bring you to his love and mercy and his great salvation.
In Jesus name, amen.