We need a better philosophy of suffering
In the massive public discussion raging around social issues (marriage reform, euthenasia, etc), one thing worth watching is the way people respond to suffering.
Our society does not know how to handle suffering. If death is the end, and this life is all there is, then suffering is an irredeemable tragedy. It is the ultimate affront. The only solution we know of is to eliminate it.
Suffering -> outrage and compassion -> attempts to stop the suffering.
There’s something right about that response, of course. But if the only hope you can offer someone is stopping their suffering… then what do you have to offer when you can’t stop their suffering?
The Christian message has the ability to bring hope, meaning, and comfort in suffering.
First of all, it promises a day of no more suffering. This life is not all there is, and those who want it can have a certain future where all the pain of this life is stopped, all the damage healed, all that was lost restored. This is not a fantasy of pie in the sky when you die, because Jesus’s physical resurrection, as a historical fact, proves His ability and willingness to do it. So we can have hope in suffering. Suffering in this life does not destroy the only life we have.
Secondly, the Christian message shows the nobleness of patience in suffering. There is glory, even in the ugliness of the pain. Because the one who endures suffering patiently, trusting God, is being like Jesus, which is a beautiful thing. There can be dignity in suffering.
Thirdly, the Christian message shows how suffering can be used by God to bring good, both for the sufferer and for others.
The Bible describes the hope and comfort Christians have in suffering this way: ‘Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’ (Romans 5:1–5)
This is on offer to all, and many people are brought through suffering to find hope, meaning, and personal growth they never knew beforehand.
The instinct to see suffering and find a way, any way, to stop it… is a good one. But it’s not the only thing we have to say to people in hard situations. For those struggling with discomfort in this life, whether physical, psychological, social, sexuality, loneliness, or anything else, we can offer hope and meaning to them in their suffering.
I think recognising this shapes how we see possible responses to those who use arguments from suffering for things like marriage reform, euthanasia, abortion, and so on. A way out of suffering is not the only option; it may not even be the best option. The better path, harder but better, might be through that suffering. And through it, to hope, dignity, purpose, and growth.
Of course there’s more to say. There’s always more to say.
