Life is full of suffering. Whether it is physical or mental, it is a reality of human existence from which few people are spared. As a result, even the most common stories of life may at times cause us deep sorrow. A special rabbi once said, If life did not have its share of pain and heartache, we would become a world without heart or soul, without feeling or sympathy. The world would truly be a cold and unfeeling place. To feel true joy and real happiness, we must also be able to feel sorrow and pain as well. In a similar vein, the Bible states, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born and a time to die; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
In the face of overwhelming tragedy, it is often difficult to find a reason to laugh or believe that something good is capable of coming out of despair. Our own suffering can seem far too big, too unique and too important to be found in a song or a book. Yet, at the same time, life can also bring tremendous gifts of joy, even in the midst of suffering.
One great source of inspiration is people who have come through tragedy and suffering and still manage to lead uplifting and fulfilling lives. Through a combination of strength, courage and hard work, these once broken individuals rise above their circumstances, even in the worst of situations. They make the best of what they have and turn their darkness into light, their despair into hope. These inspiring individuals restore us with a belief that no matter what life throws at us, we can make it through and come out stronger.
True joy and happiness also emerge from finding purpose in our suffering. Why do I experience pain and sorrow? It can be difficult to accept this, but sometimes our deepest sadness serves as a catalyst for discovering and fulfilling our life’s purpose. We learn to appreciate and cherish the good times more when we have suffered through the bad times.
The truth of life is that suffering is unavoidable, but through it all we are here to find our purpose and joy. It is not a matter of escaping the pain, but rather learning what to do in the midst of it: to have courage and strive to maintain joy and hope in the face of death and destruction. Despite the storms which life throws our way, with strength of character, courage and a bit of faith, joy and happiness are never beyond reach.
