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You're taking it out of context and adding a great deal to it that is of your mind, and not from the post.
No one said that God brought the suffering, nor that it was karma.
The statement itself, standing alone, is consistent with ascetic thinking in Russia.

"Suffering cleanses the soul infected with the filth of sensual pleasure and detaches it completely from material things by showing it the penalty incurred as a result of its affection for them. This is why God in His justice allows the devil to afflict men with torments." -
St. Maximos the Confessor (+ 662)

"If you are not willing to repent through freely choosing to suffer, unsought sufferings will providentially be imposed on you." -
St. Thalassios (7th c.)

Here is a quote from the Orthodox Church of America website

"Jesus Christ shows us that human suffering has redeeming and sanctifying significance. It can be the means of finding God in the fallen world, the means of purification from carnal passions, the means of enlightenment and communion with God for everlasting life."

"The apostle Paul tells us that "the sufferings of the present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). He says that our earthly sufferings are but the "slight momentary affliction" which "is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparision" (2 Corinthians 4:17)."
Those who suffer through sickness and disease with every virtue of Christ will receive "sufficient grace" from God to be strong in the Lord in their bodily weakness, and so direct their sufferings "not unto death" but to the "glory of God." (cf 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, John 11:4)

Suffering helps us to remember that this world is transient and unimportant. For whatever reason, it is clear that God allows a tremendous amount of suffering to take place around the world every day. Even if suffering is of demonic origin, to believe that God is almighty and all-powerful is to accept that God allows it. It is arrogant to question it, therefore, and the very essence of ascetic humility to place blame for your suffering upon yourself.

Pinging some friends to the discussion.

You know, in the Orthodox church there is actually no greater suffering than sin, which separates us from God. Physical suffering pales by comparison.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is interpreted by us in this way. The Samaritan is Christ, who arrives to relieve us of our suffering of sin. When the Samaritan tells the innkeeper to spend whatever is needed to bring the wounded man back to health, and promises to pay for it, we consider that to be a parallel to Christ giving whatever is needed for our sins, so that we may be brought to "health".

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