Finding meaning in suffering and pain?

Question

So where do we begin in our search for meaning in suffering?

Answer 1

Great question. I think the search for meaning begins with ourselves. Every trial and suffering we experience has a message for us.

Sometimes God allows us to suffer in order to bring something good from it. The suffering and death of Jesus gave humanity a reason to hope and to believe in the resurrection. Christianity would not be what it is now were it not for its martyrs. The holocaust opened the eyes of the world to the evils of Nazism and racism. It also enabled the Jewish people to return to their homeland.

Buddhists have a nice way of explaining the mystery. It is basically the same as the Christian teaching on dying to ourselves: "to live is to suffer, to suffer is caused by desire, to transcend desire is the middle way, the middle way leads to nirvana" [heaven]. The great saints of the Church took this path.
I hope this helps you.
Peace and every blessing!

Answer 2

The meaning behind suffering is the growth that comes from going through experiences that challenge us. Sometime we think that we are being given a challenge that is to diffucult or suffering to intense to over come. However this is not the case.

It is though suffering that we exceed what we had thought was our limit. Look within yourself for the strength to over come any challenge or bit of suffering. The strength is within you not floating out in space.

Answer 3

well, suffering and pain is never easy...but it's also certainly not meaningless either...

If we look at Paul's (Saul's) life in the Bible, and if you were to read the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verses 7 - 10 it puts all these things into perspective. Paul talks about his personal experience with this.

Nobody enjoys pain & suffering, but if it means that our relationship with God will become closer, and that through it we'll remain humble, and more importantly: that the name of Christ will be glorified ---- then it's worth it!


Only God can see the bigger picture, and we'll probably never understand until we meet him in heaven.

Answer 4

If you are open to it, there is always a lesson to be found in grief and suffering and pain. People who tell you otherwise have never learned the lessons involved, and are not qualified to say that there is no lesson to be learned. There are lessons in everything, otherwise what would be the point of being here?

Answer 5

Suffering is a part of life. It all began after the fall of man ( Adam & Eve). Jesus suffered while on earth. the difference was Christ was perfect He did not sin. it will always be with me & your while on earth.

Answer 6

when a vine after harvest loses 80 % of its length through pruning, it assists in the regrowth of next years crop.
when we have an 'attachment' taken away, it clears the path for future growth of self. see it not as suffering, but as a sacrifice that allows your destiny to unfold.

Answer 7

Start by considering that there is more to life than just our physical existence. Life continues after death.

Enter the Realm of the Spirit
http://innerquest1.blogspot.com/

Answer 8

ask first why you suffer? what is the cause? fear, anger, a misguided conception?
that is the first step. then you must examine your answer.

all things happen for a reason. every time life gets difficult it is giving you a chance to learn and grow.

Answer 9

There is no meaning in suffering. It's just a drawback to being alive.

Answer 10

I only get one meaning out of it.

Life sucks.