I have heard/seen many instances where suffering or tragedies brought people closer to whatever religon they had.
For me, it has been the total opposite. I grew up in a Muslim family. Fortunately, my life went very well but I saw a lot of suffering. And ofcourse the suffering just wasnt of pakistani muslims but of all different races/nationalities (dafur, palestinans, americans, isrealis etc).
Strange that you say you have "seen" suffering but at the same time question how can suffering bring one closer to their religion.
Seeing does not count. Actually suffering is needed for most people.
Once the circumstances around you become such that you cannot change them or help the ones closest to you, you realize how arrogant you had been when you had it all, even though you lived your life thinking you are such a humble muslim.
Anyway .... please be careful when you post such title cause you do them at the risk of either doing shirk, or challenging the wisdom and maslehat of Allah Zaujal.