Surprisingly, I was able to get by with a rather strong statement quietly nestled into Sunday’s post. I’m somewhat amazed no one caught it — or at least called me on it. Granted, it was subtle. It was also strong… and perhaps one of the most dual truthful and controversial statements the Intramuralist has ever publicly opined.
In the context of acknowledging the expediency of wrestling with issues in the ever-so-fast internet and information age of the 21st century, I made the following statement:
“We no longer accept that time (next to suffering) is perhaps life’s greatest teacher.”
Suffering is a great teacher. “Great” is not the best word there, for actually, we don’t like the concept. We don’t like the idea of suffering. It makes us uncomfortable. We also work tirelessly to avoid any semblance of suffering — keeping our kids, too, from any situation deemed seemingly close.
It’s as if for some reason, many of us astute, mature, intelligent, discerning or insert-other-good-sounding-adjective adults believe we can learn life’s greatest lessons without experiencing any pain. We adhere to that belief so deeply, that we attempt to help those who follow in our footsteps to also avoid any pain or suffering. In fact, my sense is we intentionally attempt to be a buffer, hoping to learn best — and for the younger generation to also learn best — via minimal discomfort at most. We toil to insulate and avoid. While wishing negative circumstances on no one, I don’t believe the efforts to avoid are entirely wise.
I am further bothered by the formal, federal policy stabs to also avoid any suffering. Granted, we don’t call it that; we don’t call that “avoidance.” We say “we deserve” this… or “we’re entitled”… and then we miss out on the unparalleled benefits that suffering so subtly provides…
It was the Beatles, who “suffered” when rejected by Decca Records in 1962 — saying “we don’t like your boys’ sound” — who later became a societal icon.
It was Corrie Ten Boom, who “suffered” within the confines of a Nazi concentration camp, who later became an infamous author, inspiring millions with her message of love and forgiveness.
And it was Michael Jordan, who “suffered” when he failed to make his high school varsity basketball team, whose experience obviously led to something greater and more.
Suffering teaches us. It inspires us. It spurs us on.
Our attempts to avoid suffering — via entitlement, rights, and deservingness — only get in the way of authentic growth. Worse yet, government often encourages the deservingness.
Years ago, I heard a song that made me stop in my tracks. It utilized a thorn to represent the pain in our sides, the pain that doesn’t go away, the pain that figuratively represents our suffering. It said:
When does the thorn become a blessing
When does the pain become a friend
When does the weakness make me stronger
When does my faith make me whole again…
Our thorn becomes a blessing only when we quit attempting to avoid what’s wise to learn. As previously stated, while suffering is a great teacher, “great” is not the best word. Suffering is an effective teacher. We would be wise to quit working so hard to avoid it.
Respectfully…
AR