Suffering can be described as an experience that involves physical and mental pain resulting from a sense of loss, disturbance, or a general feeling of powerlessness surrounding a series of events. When stricken with pain we ultimately look to religion and ask if this is God’s intention, or ask Him to rectify the pain we feel. It is human nature to try to understand the meaning of such pain, and attempt to eliminate or alter the source. Medicine, remedies, and ancient rituals have all been used to alleviate pain and suffering but we must consider whether we are improving a condition or prolonging the inevitable.

It is the rare family that doesn’t, at some time, struggle with some sort of suffering, such as mental illness, alcoholism, financial difficulties or death. When flooded with grief, we immediately question God’s existence and ask how He can allow beings and creatures he cares for to suffer, or accept it as being His divine plan. We can either conclude that God does not exist, that He does exist and works in an evil way, or God exists and works in a benevolent way that is beyond our understanding or comprehension.

“Traditionally, religions have responded to suf

Although everything, good and evil, comes from God, the ultimate cause of suffering is to be related in some way to original sin. According to The Book of Genesis, “man’s first parents were created in the state of innocence and happiness, but by the sin of disobedience they brought on themselves suffering and death. The effort of providing their daily bread and the pain of childbearing are singled out as outstanding features of the suffering that resulted from their fallen state.” Because we are all direct descendents of original sin, suffering in the world is essentially related to that very sin. Consequently, law punished individual crimes and suffering was punishment for sin.

The paradox is resolved by the fact that Christian fasts and self-denial take on an eschatological meaning. Those who believe in Christ are saved, but they have yet to reach their final goal. Christians endure suffering because they long for the second coming of Christ. By their endurance and sacrifices, Christians help bring closer that second coming of Christ.

Some topics in this essay:
Judgment Day, Jewish Christian, Eightfold Path, Book Genesis, Suffering Suffering, According Gospel, Baptism Christian, Job Ecclesiastes, Noble Truths, Judaism Jewish, punishment sin, suffering found, pain suffering, suffering punishment sin, response suffering, own suffering, sin suffering, suffering servant, suffering results, noble truth, suffering punishment, unfortunate component man’s, component man’s life, birth death rebirth, one’s own suffering,