Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. Actually, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it, accept and learn from it. Pain changes people. We will never understand pain until we feel it. Pain is inevitable but suffering is optional when we grow stronger from the pain and we do not let it destroy us.

Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If we are not pushing ourselves beyond the comfort zone, if we are not demanding more from ourselves by expanding and learning as we go, we are choosing a numb existence.

Without pain, there would be no suffering, without suffering we would never learn from our  mistakes. To make it right, pain and suffering are the keys to all windows, without them, there is no way of life. The most authentic thing about us, human, is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering. When we are suffering, we become more understanding not only about ourselves, but also about other people's sufferings. The first step to understand somebody is to understand their sufferings, then love follows.

I have learned that most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities; that most of our suffering is the product of our thoughts. We spend nearly every moment of our lives lost in thought, and hostage to the character of those thoughts. We can break this spell, but it takes training just like it takes training to defend ourselves against a physical assault.

Happiness is not a reward, it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment, it is a result. The only medicine for suffering, crime, and all other woes of mankind, is wisdom. When we teach a man to read and write, we put into his hands the great keys of the wisdom box. But of course, to open the box is quite another thing.

I have also learned that human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of righteousness requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals. Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet but only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He is sufficient for all of our needs. When I think and accept this as an absolute truth in my life, I have found that I would stop worrying and I would feel very grateful for all my blessings.

By Tim Pedrosa

Tim