Lack of suffering

[la_petit_fleur]

I’m wondering about what a lack of suffering means in relation to eternal merit. Suffering is a response to pain, and evidence that God is working in us to prepare us for Heaven, and the rewards to be received in the life to come. But there are people who don’t suffer that much in this life. This might be due to either having the kind of temperament where things don’t bother you that much, or not having many adverse circumstances, or several other reasons, probably. Heck if you’re a person living in a developed nation, we have freedom, safety, clean water, food, and the list goes on. (Of course, plenty of modern people have great suffering, and I’m not dismissing that.)

So here are some questions in regard to “lesser suffering”

• Is a lack of suffering a cause for concern, spiritually speaking? What would be the spiritual ramifications?
• Do people who don’t suffer much receive rewards in this life, that they otherwise might be receiving in the world to come?
• Does suffering only take place in the emotions? Maybe there is still merit to be gained from people who suffer, but aren’t deeply emotional?
• Does God give more merit to people who have more calamity, or who are more emotionally sensitive to pain? (I don’t necessarily think that, I’m just “asking out loud.”)

 

[Athanasiy]

I think that sport is a very good teacher in dealing with difficulties, which later cannot even be called suffering.
In my opinion the people who learn to overcome difficulties from early childhood are very good prepared for life’s difficulties in the future.
When, for example, a little girl from 4 years old learns gymnastics, she goes through especially painful processes before becoming a great gymnast at 12-13 years old.
, the same in freestyle or even Greco-Roman wrestling, it is advisable to start with acrobatics at the age of 6-7, and then to wrestle, and in 16-17 you might show some results.
Later, children become juniors and delight others with their results, but before that there was a difficult road that required a lot of work and sacrifice.
Falls, failures, difficulties are accepted with a smile, because the personality is hardened in the fight against difficulties, and those difficulties cannot even be called suffering.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

But there are people who don’t suffer that much in this life.

Depends on what you mean by “suffer”. Everyone suffers - some physically, some mentally, some spiritually and often a combination of any of the three.

St. Therese the Little Flower had every material advantage but if you read her autobiography The Story of a Soul she suffered too, especially after her mother died.

 

[VonDerTann]

These are very interesting questions.

• Is a lack of suffering a cause for concern, spiritually speaking? What would be the spiritual ramifications?
  –IMHO No. We may “suffer” only in, say, the last year of an otherwise charmed life…but that year may cram in a lifetime’s worth of suffering…
• Do people who don’t suffer much receive rewards in this life, that they otherwise might be receiving in the world to come?
  –Very possibly. Or perhaps they are reaping rewards/an easy life/whatever because they’re sinning and they’re doing the equivalent of “gaining the whole wor;d and losing their soul in the process.”
• Does suffering only take place in the emotions? Maybe there is still merit to be gained from people who suffer, but aren’t deeply emotional?
  -Suffering comes in all forms. I think physical suffering is the easiest. Harder? Emotional suffering; pain of seeing loved ones suffer; inchoate feelings like fear; depression; betrayal, etc. The worst kind of suffering IMHO? Suffering of regret, particularly at the end of one’s life.
• Does God give more merit to people who have more calamity, or who are more emotionally sensitive to pain? (I don’t necessarily think that, I’m just “asking out loud.”)
  –I would argue that He did for Job. I’ve read (can’t place where) that the most celebrated souls in heaven are those who died martyrs, whose “wounds glow as gold.” I’m sorry, I’m just not sure.

But thank you, just for starting a good, deep discussion. We need less “was my confession valid?” and more like yours.

 

[TheIttyBitty]

I lived in an undeveloped country when I was a child. The elevator broke in the apartment building and a man was trapped inside. They passed sandwiches to him through a crack. The apartment building was very clean.

I live in a developed country now. I spend 3 hrs a day right now in a barn trying to socialize cats so they can get shots and get fixed, maybe even find new homes. The barn…isn’t remotely clean. I saved a baby hummingbird some weeks ago from cobwebs! I could easily sleep in this barn. There’s no elevator. My current apartment is subpar the apartment in the undeveloped country.

So I think developed vs. undeveloped…until you have lived in an undeveloped country, or lived in less than ideal conditions within a developed country, you will see life through a colored lens of haves and have nots.

True suffering usually happens from true and tangible losses that aren’t as financial in nature.

Ie loss of a child, innocence, trust, family, etc etc…these things are independent of any worldly luck in birth.

 

[Lucy_1]

I think this is why suffering is a gift. It makes our need more apparent to us.

 

[la_petit_fleur]

But thank you, just for starting a good, deep discussion. We need less “was my confession valid?” and more like yours.

Aw, thanks. And thanks for answering my questions.

 

[fhansen]

God works in mysterious ways, differently for each person. His main purpose is to turn us fully to Himself, however much or little suffering, grace, experience, knowledge, time, etc it takes.

 

[NevermoreLenore]

I think physical suffering is the easiest

I used to think this too. Then cancer entered the picture twenty years ago–brain, spinal, pancreatic. Nerve pain is excruciating. Just writing this out, my breath is shallow and my heart started to pound just thinking about it. It doesn’t help that I now have over a dozen central nervous system tumours and some abdominal that are being monitored. I feel perpetually under the sword of Damocles.

I’ve also experienced psychological and spiritual pain that were likewise unbearable. Losing my dad and the way he died (cancer) haunts me. My kids have the same genetic cancer and are manifesting tumours since they hit their teens.

Being a psychologist, I always utilise what I’ve learned and apply it to my life and teach many things to my kids, especially distress tolerance. I, like my father before me, am optimistic and people are often shocked to hear what I have and continued to suffer. For me, this is a compliment because it means I’m not complaining too much or drawing attention to myself. A major principle that has helped me understand suffering in general is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This is why I don’t think any type of suffering is worse than the other. For example, if your physical needs are met and you are generally healthy, your mind is freed up to experience emotional pain. If a person is suffering depression, self actualisation isn’t really on the radar at all. When you suffer physically, there is nothing else (and I’m talking in extremes here). If a person is starving, they don’t likely get their feelings hurt or focus on being a better person; the brain is literally hyper focused on the most immediate need (food) which is physical.

…continued…

 

[NevermoreLenore]

…continued

I’ve struggled with the inequities in degree of suffering. Why do I deserve AC, heat, and comfort when so many people don’t even have access to clean water? I see that the fact I am still alive as a luxury because I’m in a country with the best neurosurgeons, oncologists, testing, technology, and treating capabilities. But when I narrow my focus to those around me, it seems I and my family have a heavier burden of suffering than most–this is something nearly everyone says to us, also. Part of the suffering was the judgement I received from fellow evangelicals, who insisted if I had enough faith God would’ve healed me, that by continuing to suffer and get more tumours, there was clearly hidden sin and I was being punished. It’s really a story for another time and there were many reasons we converted to Catholicism, but much of my spiritual suffering was alleviated by the Catholic belief that suffering doesn’t mean you’re horrible and God is punishing you. The people at our parish are so compassionate. Spending the first 30+ years of my life as an evangelical, I never had exposure to church fathers and mothers, the saints, and the general teaching that a person suffering can, with the right focus, indeed become more holy because of their suffering. It was a massive mental shift that eased the burden of guilt and God’s intense displeasure with me and I am learning not to view suffering as punishment but as a vehicle through which I can be holier and spend less time in purgatory. As a person, I am better for it and have a greater capacity of empathy, and I know I’m a better wife and mother. I Peter 4:1 says ‘whoever suffers in the body is done with sin’ and the beginning of the verse speaks of arming ourselves with the attitude of our Suffering Christ. I find when my trials lighten briefly, I am more tempted to sin, whereas when my suffering is more intense I am in a position wherein I continually cry out to God from my heart.

 

[OnlyULord]

Thank you for sharing this. Your story is amazing and inspiring. God bless you on your journey!

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

• Is a lack of suffering a cause for concern, spiritually speaking? What would be the spiritual ramifications?
• Do people who don’t suffer much receive rewards in this life, that they otherwise might be receiving in the world to come?

God doesn’t play “gotcha”.

People play gotcha to each other, but God doesn’t behave like that.

 

[brown_bear]

It depends on whether we do God’s will.

If I suffer but little because I avoid my duties, that’s not good.

If I suffer but little because God wants it, that’s okay.

Moreover, if I suffered so much because I invented absurd penances that God did not dream of asking me, it would not be good.

Let’s do God’s will and stay in peace.

---

PS: not petit but petite

 

[Lucy_1]

la_petit_fleur:

• Is a lack of suffering a cause for concern, spiritually speaking? What would be the spiritual ramifications?

• Do people who don’t suffer much receive rewards in this life, that they otherwise might be receiving in the world to come?

God doesn’t play “gotcha”.

People play gotcha to each other, but God doesn’t behave like that.

I’m not so sure it’s a case of “gotcha” (which you’re right, God doesn’t play), but consider Job. St Gregory the Great had this to say about Job and suffering in general:

Therefore since the human mind is hemmed in by the thick fog of its uncertainty among the divine judgments, when holy people see the prosperity of this world coming to them, they are troubled with a frightening suspicion. For they are afraid that they might receive the fruits of their labors here

That kind of underscores what the OP is saying

 

[Theosis]

I find it interesting… or rather mysterious the share each of us has in suffering. To be sure, it would seem silly to me otherwise, that some do certainly suffer more than others. Why? Only God knows.

I certainly have and am currently undergoing suffering I know I cannot possibly endure without God with me. Lord knows my heart is sorrowful unto death, but He does give me a kernel of peace within.

Surrendering entirely to God, accepting what is dealt and that I do not have the power to control things can be a difficult cup to drink.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

I’m not so sure it’s a case of “gotcha” (which you’re right, God doesn’t play), but consider Job. St Gregory the Great had this to say about Job and suffering in general:

I guess what I’m driving at is dont worry.

If we get suffering in this world, if we get very little suffering…

Because Heaven is way more abundant than we can imagine in this life. The “least” in thr Kingdom of God, is still…IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

A cause for celebration no matter how you slice it.

 

[Dan_Defender]

It is not possible to live in this world and not suffer. Make no mistake, we all suffer in some way.