Suffering Needlessly
“The more we approach Him and His likeness, the more we come to love as He loves, and the less we suffer needlessly.”
Suffering. I don’t think any of us like it. Just the thought of pain or suffering can strike our hearts with fear. Just the thought or fear of suffering is a form of suffering! One of the great religions of the Earth, Buddhism, is principally focused on getting rid of it in this life!
It’s not fun, and for some of us, it’s a constant battle and reality. Some of us fear emotional suffering most, others physical, and for other mental, but it is all painful and it’s very real.
There is a quote I like from Eternal Man by Truman Madsen that cites Joseph Smith as saying:
The more we approach Him (Jesus Christ) and His likeness, the more we come to love as He loves, and the less we suffer needlessly. We need not suffer further for our sinfulness, for through Him we may be redeemed. We need not suffer further from false expectations, for as we increase in righteousness, His revelations replace error with truth. Eventually, we need not suffer in the threat of final failure and condemnation. For as we prove that we are ‘determined to serve the Lord at all hazards’ we can receive the assurance of eternal life, ‘an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast’.
Then knowledge through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.
When I first read this quote, it provided a hopeful answer to a worry I long possessed — that I was going to suffer a lot in life and not be able to avoid it. But what I came to learn is that, although many forms of suffering are unavoidable, we can limit the suffering only to what is necessary.
What does that mean?
Let’s analyze the Prophet’s quote.
The closer we approach Jesus and in becoming like Him and loving like He loves, then we suffer less for no reason!
We won’t suffer as much for our sins, because we’ll repent and be redeemed through Christ. Less bitter tears, more peace.
We won’t suffer any more for false expectations (and this causes of A LOT of our suffering when we analyze a bit) because we will replace incorrect views or thoughts with the truth. The revelations of God help a lot in this, particularly with the eternal view.
Another big one: we need not suffer that we will fail and be condemned in the end because we can receive the calming assurance that we will be fine as we show that we seek to do good diligently through thick and thin.
We can eliminate the (long run) fear of failure.
We can make mistakes in the little things still, but we can lose the great worry of eternal punishment as we better understand how it works.
We can focus more on others when we’re not worried about ourselves.
You could say ridding ourselves of selfishness (which Christ obviously did) is a key that you’ve assured yourself of eternal life.
Either way, it’s the knowledge we gain from and through Jesus Christ that opens us up to understand the kingdom of God and avoid unnecessary suffering.
Now, we will still experience much pain and suffering. Things will still happen.
Premature sickness and death. Accidents. Betrayal. False accusations. Lies. Hurtful behavior via words and actions can all still happen and cause you pain, but the pain can be limited and hopefully refining instead of debilitating or scarring.
“Then knowledge through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the grand key that unlocks the glories and mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.”
Let’s dig a little deeper…
What about horrible violence such as torture or rape, that’s pretty nasty suffering that’s not our fault? Wouldn’t this count as needless suffering?
I’d say ‘yes’ in the sense that it was needless as the perpetrator didn’t have to commit the heinous crime. He or she could have acted with less emotional or physical violence and avoided causing so much pain.
The pain inflicted by others is real. And oftentimes, we can’t avoid that pain. We could do everything right and still suffer. Is any of this then applicable to those in this situation?
I think it is.
Why?
Because this suffering is needless due to the agency of others or perhaps the randomness of life, sometimes it is unavoidable. Despite all we do we will still feel pain.
But…
We can learn from the pain, no matter it’s source.
We can certainly develop compassion and empathy for those who suffer with their own issues.
And, remembering how we’ve suffered and got through pain in the past…
We can be true disciples of Christ by being willing
to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death… (Mosiah 17)
Jesus Christ is unique in the history of the world not just for his amazing teachings or his mighty miracles but principally for his sufferings and death that had deep and eternal consequences for all mankind.
7 And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. (Mosiah 3)
21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
22 And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day. (2 Nephi 9)
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit — and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink —
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (D&C 19)
Sometimes I’ve heard leaders or teachers at Church share the idea of us allowing Christ to suffer needlessly if we fail to repent. In some ways it’s true. But I believe his great Love for us allowed Him to willingly Suffer so much for us as well as his suffering likely increased his love and compassion for us (if that were possible).
I think the real trial and real witness of Christ’s love and divinity is what we feel when we look to Him in our moments of suffering. Alma the Younger is an example. I think that is one of the main areas in our hearts where a true testimony of Jesus is born, when we are co-sharers in suffering, both with Him in our suffering and in that of others. That’s how pain can ultimately lead to our growth and goodness. It can make us more humble and compassionate or more bitter and hateful. How we respond is often the difference between additional and increased suffering, or an alleviation of most of the most bitter parts.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5)
