Suffering Meaning
Suffering Definition & Usage
The state of experiencing physical or emotional pain, distress, or hardship.
Examples
- "The suffering of the homeless is often ignored by society."
- "She felt an overwhelming sense of suffering after the loss of her beloved pet."
- "The refugees endured terrible suffering on their journey to safety."
- "His suffering was evident in the way he flinched every time he moved."
- "The doctors worked tirelessly to relieve the patient’s suffering."
To experience or endure pain, distress, or hardship.
Examples
- "She has been suffering from chronic headaches for years."
- "The city continues to suffer from the effects of the storm."
- "He suffered in silence, unwilling to speak about his struggles."
- "The workers suffered through extreme heat while building the bridge."
- "The patient was suffering so much that they asked for stronger medication."
A concept in many philosophical, religious, and spiritual traditions that refers to the idea of enduring or confronting pain or hardship as part of the human experience.
Examples
- "Buddhism teaches that suffering is an inherent part of life and can be alleviated through understanding and enlightenment."
- "In Christian theology, the suffering of Christ on the cross is seen as an essential act for human salvation."
- "The ancient Greek philosophers often discussed the nature of suffering in relation to virtue and the human condition."
- "Suffering, according to many spiritual traditions, is a way to build character and wisdom."
- "The story of Job in the Bible explores the idea of righteous suffering and the search for divine meaning in hardship."
Cultural Context
The concept of suffering has been a central theme in human history, philosophy, and religion. It is discussed in literature, art, and psychology as a fundamental aspect of the human experience. In many religious traditions, suffering is seen as a means of personal or spiritual growth. In modern psychology, suffering is explored as a form of emotional or physical distress, with therapeutic approaches focused on alleviating or managing pain.
The Weight of Suffering
Story
The Weight of Suffering
Anna sat alone in the small, dimly lit room, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The room was quiet, almost too quiet, and the weight of her thoughts felt unbearable. It had been a month since the accident that changed everything. The constant ache in her leg, a reminder of the physical suffering she had endured, was nothing compared to the grief that consumed her every waking moment. The doctors had told her it would take time to heal, but Anna couldn't shake the feeling that time was not enough. She was suffering not only from the physical pain but from a deeper, more intangible sorrow. Her partner, Mark, had been by her side through the entire ordeal, but Anna couldn’t help but feel that her suffering had placed an insurmountable distance between them. One evening, Mark sat beside her on the couch, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. "I know you're suffering, Anna," he said softly, "but I’m here for you. We’re in this together." Anna nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. The suffering she felt seemed endless, but Mark's words were a small balm to her wounded heart. She realized then that suffering was not always something to bear alone — sometimes it could be shared, understood, and, in some small way, healed. As the weeks passed, Anna began to understand that suffering was not an enemy to be defeated. It was a part of her journey, something she had to face, endure, and learn from. She still had moments of pain, but she also began to feel moments of peace, knowing she was not alone in her struggles. Together, Anna and Mark would continue forward, knowing that no matter how deep the suffering, there was always hope for healing in the company of loved ones.
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