One of the most difficult topics to understand in Catholic Theology is the topic of Suffering. It’s difficult to understand how a good God can allow suffering in the world but let’s discuss a few ways that suffering can be meaningful when understood properly. First, let’s look at how Dr. Peter Kreeft, a philosophy professor, addresses the question:
Can A Good God Exist If There Is Suffering In The World?
If we believe that there is a good God who allows suffering we might then ask, “What is the purpose?”
How to Make Suffering Meaningful
Anyone who has been through a military boot camp knows that it is a very difficult period that tests a persons physical and mental limits. Those who sign up to join the military willingly submit themselves to a great deal of suffering. They are not forced to join the military and they are not forced to go through the suffering involved. Moreover, the military does not have to put new recruits through difficult training. So, what’s the purpose?
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New recruits are placed in a training environment that simulates a dangerous, life threatening, high paced, and very scary, environment.
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When a person chooses to join the military they must swear to protect the U.S. against enemies. That might entail being deployed to a war environment that is very dangerous, life threatening, high paced, and very scary. One purpose of military basic training is to find out how a person will respond in this type of environment before they are actually placed in a war zone. No one knows exactly how they will react in any type of situation until they are in that situation. Basic training can reveal the greatest, or worst, of a person. Of course, most people start out making mistakes, and bad decisions, but eventually some show feats of great courage and learn how to be effective even under pressure.
Even though it’s difficult to realize while in military training, there is a purpose.
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When a person chooses to join the military they must swear to protect the U.S. against enemies. That might entail being deployed to a war environment that is very dangerous, life threatening, high paced, and very scary. One purpose of military basic training is to find out how a person will respond in this type of environment before they are actually placed in a war zone. No one knows exactly how they will react in any type of situation until they are in that situation. Basic training can reveal the greatest, or worst, of a person. Of course, most people start out making mistakes, and bad decisions, but eventually some show feats of great courage and learn how to be effective even under pressure.
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The military takes away almost all comforts of everyday life: contact with the outside world, alone time, the ability to eat food slowly and recruits are deprived of sleep. Privileges are then restored slowly over the course of training based on behavior and progress.
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This is the most difficult aspect of basic training for many people. However, it allows recruits to focus on the mission at hand. Additionally, when recruits no longer have their usual comforts and convenience they begin to really appreciate them. Recruits begin talking and dreaming about seeing family again, having chocolate or soda again, being able to take a long, hot, shower and have a full nights sleep. They realize how much they had taken all those things for granted and they work hard to earn them back. They realize what is really important in life. When recruits do see family for the first time at graduation – two months later – they embrace their loved ones as if it was the last time they could do so.
This part of the training helps recruits develop a great sense of purpose.
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This is the most difficult aspect of basic training for many people. However, it allows recruits to focus on the mission at hand. Additionally, when recruits no longer have their usual comforts and convenience they begin to really appreciate them. Recruits begin talking and dreaming about seeing family again, having chocolate or soda again, being able to take a long, hot, shower and have a full nights sleep. They realize how much they had taken all those things for granted and they work hard to earn them back. They realize what is really important in life. When recruits do see family for the first time at graduation – two months later – they embrace their loved ones as if it was the last time they could do so.
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Lastly, the Recruits are put through a very difficult physical training program.
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When recruits are tired they are tempted to give-up or make decisions based on potential relief. They must learn to develop a mental strength that allows them to push beyond what they previously thought were their physical limits. Recruits are watched closely to discover if, when they are physically drained, they will continue to do the right thing. Often, the temptation to cheat or break the rules is much greater when looking for relief. As recruits surprise their self with success despite their harsh conditions (i.e. running faster, completing more push-ups or some training mission) they start to grow self-confidence. They usually end up leaving basic training in the best physical shape of their life. This shows that it sometimes takes someone else, or an outside source, to push us beyond where we think we can go. When we surpass our pre-conceived limits we start to truly believe that we can achieve amazing things.
When we begin to truly believe in ourselves, or our mission, we become much more willing to embrace suffering and sacrifice.
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When recruits are tired they are tempted to give-up or make decisions based on potential relief. They must learn to develop a mental strength that allows them to push beyond what they previously thought were their physical limits. Recruits are watched closely to discover if, when they are physically drained, they will continue to do the right thing. Often, the temptation to cheat or break the rules is much greater when looking for relief. As recruits surprise their self with success despite their harsh conditions (i.e. running faster, completing more push-ups or some training mission) they start to grow self-confidence. They usually end up leaving basic training in the best physical shape of their life. This shows that it sometimes takes someone else, or an outside source, to push us beyond where we think we can go. When we surpass our pre-conceived limits we start to truly believe that we can achieve amazing things.
To make suffering meaningful we can apply these lessons to any situation.
1) Have Faith That There Is A Purpose
If the military knows how to design a program that utilizes suffering for a greater purpose how much more meaning must be in the design of the suffering that God allows? Understand that God does not want you to suffer but he may allow it for a greater purpose. Just like new recruits in the military, we may not understand the purpose while in the midst of our suffering. However, we don’t have to understand it to embrace it. The first step to meaningful suffering is to accept the sacrifice with the faith that there is a purpose.
2) Grow Your Own Sense Of Purpose
God may remove addictions and distractions from our life to give us the opportunity to re-evaluate what is really important. He may even allow us to lose the things that we love when our focus is stuck on the things that we lust after. Losing what we love can move us to throw away our lusts or be a powerful reminder to respect and appreciate those who love us. God always has a purpose for allowing suffering but we also have the task to dig deep, in the midst of suffering, to find our own sense of purpose. That will leave a lasting motivation to push through to completion. We may not choose the suffering that God allows in our life but we can choose how we react and what we do with it.
Meaningful Suffering Brings Out The Greatness In You That You Didn’t Know Exist
One of my original quotes that you might hear me repeat often is:
“GREAT LOVE STORIES ARE NEVER WITHOUT GREAT SACRIFICE BUT GREAT SACRIFICE IS ALWAYS FOLLOWED BY GREAT JOY”
– Marcus Guevara
The stories of our Catholic Saints always include some great suffering or sacrifice. That’s because in order to prove great love we have to be willing to embrace great sacrifice. Many people say things like “I would do anything for this person. I would die for her” but how do they know they are telling the truth unless they have the opportunity to prove their love? In order to rise to the challenge there has to be a challenge. In order to find our true limits we have to confront our perceived limits and push past them. In order to be truly confident in our faith and in our love for another we have to be tested. I have been tested many times in my life and I now realize that God gave me those tests for my benefit and not his own. God doesn’t need us to prove something to Him. Whenever I excelled in the midst of suffering, or when I embraced sacrifice for the sake of another, I have grown greater confidence in myself and in my Catholic faith. My faith is strengthened when I endure suffering and remain faithful.
I remember the first time I truly felt that I loved someone else more than I loved myself. It was when I told that person that I wanted them to pursue God’s calling even if it meant they would no longer be in my life. After I made that decision I remember thinking “only God could give me the grace to do something that great”. Look at suffering as an opportunity to be great. An NBA, or NFL, championship is only worthwhile because it is so difficult to obtain. It takes great sacrifice to even get to a championship. If it was easy to be a champion the whole world wouldn’t be watching. If it was easy to be a Saint their stories wouldn’t be told hundreds, or thousands, of years after their death. If you embrace your suffering and make it meaningful God will give you the grace to answer your call to greatness.
Questions for Reflection:
1) Do you have a time in your life where suffering made you stronger? How?
2) What are some great stories that involve sacrifice or suffering (can be real or fictional)? Do you have a favorite movie that displays the benefits of sacrifice/suffering?
3) What about suffering confuses you? What would you like answered about suffering?