No one enjoys suffering, and no one should deliberately seek to suffer out of masochistic motivations. But if we learn to understand and embrace it, then suffering can actually become a blessed gift. And as we learn to experience the blessedness of suffering, then we will also be able to ease the pain of those around us.
In order to understand and embrace suffering, we must first recognize and identify its causes. All suffering emanates from four primary sources: 1) suffering caused by our own sins; 2) suffering caused by others; 3) suffering caused by circumstances; and 4) suffering caused by the pursuit of righteousness. But regardless of what brings it about, how we respond to our suffering will determine whether it will strengthen us or destroy us.
Bitterness is the first obstacle we must overcome. Disappointment, heartache, frustration, and anger are natural responses to pain and suffering. And even when we acknowledge that our own sin is to blame, the consequences of our sin often seem more severe than we deserve.
So, how should we respond to the suffering that we have brought upon ourselves through our own wrongful actions? First, rather than cursing the consequences that we ourselves have manufactured, we must embrace the suffering rather than fight it.
Anesthetization is never permanent, and unless we treat the disease that causes the pain, then the pain will only proliferate in the long run. Therefore, as we experience the consequences of our own sin, we must recognize that our suffering is proof that God is just and that His moral laws are immutable.
We can take solace from this realization, for the God that convicts is also the God that heals. The repercussive suffering that our own sin produces is actually an act of divine mercy. For if we embrace our temporal suffering in this life and allow it to drive us to repentance, then we will save ourselves from eternal suffering in the life to come.
Physical pain is a natural warning that our bodies need mending, and the suffering we face because of our own sin is a natural warning that our souls need healing. And when the suffering we endure seems more severe than the sin we have committed, we should remind ourselves that it is better to be purified by the trials of life than to be punished by the fires of hell.
This brings us to the second cause of suffering: that which is caused by others. Unfortunately, in this fallen and sin sick world, the righteous often suffer more than the wicked. There is so much suffering inflicted upon the innocent by cruel, callous, and godless men. The wicked prosper and flourish as their evil goes unrestrained. At times, it seems that the God of justice is asleep. But King Solomon’s insight is very instructive here:
"Because the sentence against evil-doers is not promptly executed, therefore the hearts of men are filled with the desire to commit evil – because the sinner does evil a hundred times and survives. But indeed it will be well with those who fear God, for their reverence toward Him; and it shall not be well with the wicked man, and he shall not prolong his shadowy days.” [Ecclesiastes 8:11-13]
Suffering is inflicted not only by the overtly wicked, but also by selfish and thoughtless individuals who cause misery by their sheer disregard and lack of concern for others. The routines and responsibilities of daily life are made more difficult simply because people have abandoned the basic habits of courtesy, consideration, and respect.
How then should we deal with the suffering that is caused by others? Again, we must start by forsaking bitterness; and we must not allow the desire for vengeance and retaliation to take root in our hearts. Our ability to embrace the suffering that is inflicted upon us by others will bring us closer to God. And as we endure suffering without hatred or retribution, we can have a profoundly positive impact on those who caused our pain. Suffering embraced and endured is not only redemptive for the victim, but it is also potentially redemptive for the victimizer. In fact, the Cross of Christ is the greatest proof of this spiritual truth.
The prophets and Saints of history have demonstrated the power of forgiveness. It is always a great temptation to avenge the wrongs that are done to us; but this never brings about healing or peace. The incarnate God endured the sin and darkness of our defiled world, and He died the cruelest of deaths at the hands of sinful men. But Our Lord forgave even as He was being slain. He abdicated his divine right to save Himself, sacrificing His life for the sins of the world. The undeserved suffering of Jesus provides the model for us to follow. In fact, Christ commands us to follow his example- in every way.
Many sages and spiritually minded social activists have emulated Christ by their embrace and endurance of unearned suffering. Their courage and consciousness helped to correct social injustices and change the hearts of erring men. And their sacrificial suffering made the roads of life a little less rocky for the rest of us. So whenever we suffer from the actions of others, we must remember that our response is critical to both the conditioning of our own souls and to the contribution of a healthy society.
The third cause of suffering is that which results from circumstances. Sometimes this can be the most agonizing type of suffering. This agony stems from the acts of chaos, confusion, and senselessness that permeate the planet. This global chaos seeps into our own small corners of the world, and none of us are unaffected by it.
But the efforts to rearrange our circumstances never result in the satisfaction we seek. History is abundant with examples of sociopolitical movements that sought to establish an egalitarian utopia, but ultimately created only more misery and suffering. And, as individuals, we frequently fall into the same trap. We believe that more money, new relationships, a bigger house, or a better job will bring us the happiness we desire. In the futile endeavor to alter our circumstances, we often starve our souls and cripple our spirits. And those who are spiritually anemic usually make life more miserable for those around them.
However, by understanding the fact that our world will never be perfect, and by realizing that life will always be accompanied by unfavorable circumstances, we can focus instead on the cultivation of a productive response to our difficulties and hardships. We will preserve our sanity by accepting and embracing the reality of life's adversity, for many people drive themselves crazy trying to change things which are beyond their control.
Helen Keller said:
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
The fourth type of suffering is that which results from the pursuit of righteousness. It is an invariable truth that light and goodness will be met with opposition from the forces of darkness and evil. The Bible says:
"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." [II Timothy 3:12]
But those who willingly suffer in order to advance the cause of righteousness will always be blessed. The world is replete with political movements and social organizations that do everything except suffer for the sake of righteousness. Yet, Christ actually made suffering a prerequisite for following Him: "If any man wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me.” [St. Luke 9:23]
True spirituality involves choosing to bear the cross of suffering for the cause of righteousness. It means practicing those disciplines that contribute to the cultivation of our souls and the enlightening of our minds. It means pursuing Paradise rather than pleasure.
Fasting, service to others, working for social justice, prayer, worship, and self-denial are spiritual exercises that may involve suffering to some degree. These things do not earn us God’s grace, but they develop our spirits and bring us closer to the God with whom we are already in relationship.
Our Lord said:
"Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you." [St. Matthew 5:11-12]
St. Peter gives us this encouragement:
"…even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you… it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil… As a result, those who suffer in accord with the will of God hand their souls over to a faithful Creator as they do good." [I Peter 3:14, 17; 4:19]
And St. Mark the Ascetic* wrote:
"Those who suffer for the sake of true devotion receive help."
Suffering has many positive benefits. For example: It is punitive, pointing us to repentance. It is healing for those who understand and embrace it. It is educational, teaching priceless spiritual principles to those who are willing to learn. It is productive, bringing about spiritual growth. And it is enlightening for all those who accept the purpose and design behind it. Therefore, know that suffering always has a remedial and redemptive effect. If we view our trials and adversities from a spiritual perspective, then we may find that suffering is in fact a blessing rather than a curse.
How sad it is that so many people spend their entire lives in the futile attempt to avoid suffering. In order to evade suffering, they fall prey to materialism and carnal pleasures; and tragically, many resort to the exploitation and oppression of others in the process. The result of this is always the increase of suffering as addiction, disease, and the insanity which results from a perpetual violation of the conscience sets in. The more that people try to elude the law of suffering, the more pain they bring to themselves and to the world around them.
Yet by understanding and embracing suffering, we can find hope and we can find God. This is the blessedness of suffering; and what a beautiful blessing it is! The Creator always presents us with a choice. Will we choose to suffer for righteousness? Will we choose to embrace suffering when we experience it as the result of our own sin? Will we choose patience and forgiveness when others have harmed us? Will we choose to embrace the opportunity to strengthen our souls when the circumstances of life are bitter and difficult?
All of us will suffer. This is an unavoidable fact of life. But the question is: how will we respond to the suffering that befalls us? The Creator has allowed us to determine whether our suffering will be for us a blessing or a curse. The choice is ours, and a wise response will bring blessed rewards.
"Suffering is the reality of the human condition and the beginning of true spiritual life. If used in the right way, suffering can purify the heart, and ‘the pure in heart shall see God.’ [St. Matthew 5:8] The right approach is found in the heart which tries to humble itself and simply knows that it is suffering, and that there somehow exists a higher truth which can not only help this suffering, but can bring it into a totally different dimension."
-Father Seraphim Rose-
-Father Seraphim Rose-
*St. Mark the Ascetic- St. Mark the Ascetic lived in the early fifth century and was a disciple of St. John Chrysostom (“The Golden Mouthed”). Known as “Mark the Monk” or “Mark the Hermit,” his spiritual treatises have had a profound influence on Orthodox Christian theology and thought. St. Mark the Ascetic wrote important discourses on baptism, repentance, and against Nestorius (Nestorius was a heretic who denied the unity of Our Lord’s humanity and divinity, and who denied Our Lady the Virgin Mary as the “Theotokos”, i.e. the Mother of God.) Some of his writings are included in The Philokalia**
**The Philokalia- (Translated in Greek as “Love of the Beautiful” and in Russian as “The Love of Spiritual Beauty”) is a collection of ascetic and mystical writings composed by the Fathers of the Eastern Orthodox Church between the fourth and fifteenth centuries. It was first published in 1782, and elucidates the contemplative life of prayer and fasting. Although this work is much more prominent amongst Eastern Orthodox Christians, it contains valuable spiritual principles that are beneficial to all people of all spiritual faiths.
By
Gebre Menfes Kidus
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