THE PROBLEM OF SUFFERING

Suffering is one of the human conditions. Suffering unlike technology, fashions, clothing or architecture which can be changed. It is like a childbirth, sunlight or sunset. It is one of the unchanging features of the human history. It has been questioned by many generations and a lot of answers have been given. It seems that humankind still has not found the proper answer to this question. Lots of efforts such as modern medicine, prevention and treatment of illness, palliative care, and anaesthesia have been put to use, but suffering is still there. Even from a religious perspective, like Buddhism for example which claim that human desire is the main cause of suffering. Gaining release from this, one must eliminate his/her desire. But it seems that suffering is eternal. It goes along with humankind.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, suffering means physical or mental pain that a person or animal is feeling. There are four dimensions of suffering: the physical, the physiological, the social and the spiritual. The physical refers to bearing of pain, like the pain of birth or the old age. While psychological is a sense of loss or, sometimes it refers to trauma. Social suffering refers to becoming a social outcast, social degradation, or shame. And the last, spiritual suffering can lead to despondency or sadness.

Some sufferings can be accepted, but there is also suffering that cannot be accepted. Suffering can be accepted when it has limited time and has benefits or value. In other words, it does not last forever, there is a hope to be healthy again and it will enable someone to be more aware and concerned about his/herself. For example, a patient who just underwent a big surgery will realise that he will be getting better and then start to be concerned about his life and even other’s lives. On the other hand, suffering cannot be accepted when it has no time limit, benefit or value. In this case, there is no certainty for someone to be as they were. A paralysed who is sitting in a wheelchair and knowing that he will be like that forever might be one example of this. The suffering of the innocent might be also a clear example of this kind of suffering.

This kind of suffering sometimes raise questions about God. If God is omnipotence and love would there be innocent sufferings? He would not let these happen. He is supposed to eliminate, erase and destroy as well those sufferings. The book of Job poses this question. Job’s friends think that suffering is simply retribution for mistakes, a just punishment for sin. The Old Testament strongly supported this way of thinking that the existence of sin justifies the existence of suffering as punishment. But Job’s experience challenges this way of thinking that all suffering is the result of sin. God knows that Job is innocent, but the suffering of the innocent is still a mystery which God does not reveal. The story of Job tells that not all suffering is a punishment for the sin, it can be a test of righteousness and worthiness.

For Christians, suffering is God’s plan for His followers. God’s word clearly speaks to Christians that suffering is a normal part of a Christian’s life, especially suffering for Christ. Christians believe that every suffering that they are experiencing symbolizes their willingness to take part in the suffering of Christ. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him but also suffer for Him” (Phil 1:29).St. Paul is one of the persons in the Bible whose stands out above all to give an answer to these deepest questions. He gives an impressive response to suffering. According to Paul, the suffering he endures serves as a way to be like Christ, as well as it being for Christ’s sake. Paul says: “Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…(Phil 3:8-11). Here Paul describes suffering as a participation in the mystery of Christ and the way to become like Christ. It is a way of becoming like Christ in His death, so that the resurrection from death may be attained (Phil 3:10-11). One who is being saved through the death and resurrection of Christ must participate in Christ’s passion to obtain salvation.

Human suffering is one of the greatest mysteries of life. Human tradition reveals much about the mystery of human suffering. From the secular point of view, suffering is far from desirable. It is typically avoided at all costs and seen as the greatest of tragedies. However, from the Christian perspective, suffering itself has been transformed by Christ and made the greatest instrument of grace for human beings. Through His suffering on the Cross, salvation has been given to humankind.