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February 2009 
Do you believe there is value in suffering?
Posted on Jan 11th, 2009
by 
veronica lynne
veronica lynne
This is in Response to the Questions and Reflections for January 11, 2009:
I normally write my response immediately. I prefer the answer that comes without a lot of thought to it. I figure the first thought more accurately represents what I truly think and/or believe.
This time...well...I don't know if it's a mood I'm in right now or if I really am stumped by this question. An answer just didn't come to me. I figured I could sit on this awhile...but that's not what I did. Instead, I took a look at some of the answers from others to see if there was anything that made sense to me.
Without doing all of the math, it appears that many who responded to this question do believe there is value in suffering:
I didn't have to read too many of these to know that I do not believe there is value in suffering. There are a lot of people in this world who suffer daily. The level of pain that one considers suffering varies from one individual to the next. Therefore, to even speak of suffering in such broad terms does seem a bit odd.
I believe each and everyday we all create our personal heaven and or hell. It's a choice. So if we have a choice, why would anyone choose hell, pain and or suffering. In that regard, I'm inclined to agree with Zephr. If we can do anything to prevent pain we should. And what better way to prevent suffering than with love. I also agree with boogie, "pain and suffering just hurts."
I hope tomorrow, we can go back to those questions that I don't have to ponder so much.
This time...well...I don't know if it's a mood I'm in right now or if I really am stumped by this question. An answer just didn't come to me. I figured I could sit on this awhile...but that's not what I did. Instead, I took a look at some of the answers from others to see if there was anything that made sense to me.
Without doing all of the math, it appears that many who responded to this question do believe there is value in suffering:
"...there is a lesson in any kind of suffering."
"...With every loss there's a potential for gain."
"I think there is a lesson in any kind of suffering."
"Without suffering there cannot be a complete understanding of joy."
I didn't have to read too many of these to know that I do not believe there is value in suffering. There are a lot of people in this world who suffer daily. The level of pain that one considers suffering varies from one individual to the next. Therefore, to even speak of suffering in such broad terms does seem a bit odd.
I believe each and everyday we all create our personal heaven and or hell. It's a choice. So if we have a choice, why would anyone choose hell, pain and or suffering. In that regard, I'm inclined to agree with Zephr. If we can do anything to prevent pain we should. And what better way to prevent suffering than with love. I also agree with boogie, "pain and suffering just hurts."
I hope tomorrow, we can go back to those questions that I don't have to ponder so much.
Access: Public
For the most part I honestly agree with you. Why would anyone choose suffering? Love is the best thing this world has to offer. But, not everyone truly has a choice. I was a victim of domestic violence for 4 1/2 years. That was MY choice, and a stupid one at that. I never left, so yes of course I take the blame. But when I was raped in the military, I had no choice. And the suffering continues to this day, every time I close my eyes. It doesn’t end. In my faith I’ve learned to even feel sorry for them (2 men) and pray that if I can learn to forgive then maybe they will fully understand the depth of what they did, and feel its pain in guilt and shame, as I had to. My point is, that I have learned to go on living. A little less trusting than before, but nonetheless, living. And actually looking forward to tomorrow, greatful that I have another day.
“Bad things” do happen to good people. The thing to focus on is how we react to these “bad” things. I have a friend of mine who honestly believes everything, and I mean EVERYTHING in this world is a blessing. Sometimes it’s easy to count our blessings and be grateful for them. Every day that I wake up in control of my body, in a warm bed with food in the refrigerator and gainful employment, I count my blessings. I give thanks. However, sometimes there are situations that we encounter where the blessings are much more difficult to see. I too, have had my share of “bad things” happen. (This is not to belittle your experience in anyway. I was a victim of incest once upon a time). The thing I go back to is “choice.” Do I choose to be a victim and suffer or do I choose to see the blessing and move on? It’s simple but not easy. Sometimes it comes quickly; other times it takes awhile to see the blessing. A good faith, loving family and friends certainly facilitate a more positive outlook. If you allow yourself to see life experiences as blessings and experiences that move you forward in some way then there is no need to suffer.