On Suffering & The Human Condition

[BogsBinny 125]

Spoiler

 

DE DOLOR

On Suffering & The Human Condition

A THESIS BY AN

ASPIRING SERVANT OF GOD

 

 

 

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As mortals, we believe suffering and happiness to be opposites on the spectrum of the sentient experience. We are taught to believe suffering to be a horrible and desolate wasteland for one’s spiritual and mental health. We raise questions to GOD, to our kin, and to ourselves - “Why me? What have I done to deserve such? What sort of cruel God subjects his loyal believer to such?” Amen I say to you, brothers and sisters in faith - for GOD has further foresight than our temporary existence on this Earth, the condition of suffering should be considered His blessing.
There are times in our lives when we wish we could change aspects of ourselves and our lives - aspects of GOD’s infinite plan for us. Sometimes we lose what we care about, we are separated from those we love, our bodies fail us as we get older, we feel as if we have lost the remainder of His flock, or our short lives just seem to be wasting away. Suffering does not necessarily mean grave physical pain, but rather the mental suffering we undergo with the natural tendency of the mind to wander towards hedonism and the fleeting nature of life.

 

When I was a young child, I often kept to myself, I was the loner within Uncle Ostromir’s enormous family, and although I carried the Carrion name, I never received special treatment for such. Of course, I never went hungry nor did I feel the burden of economic pressure - but I feel that such only isolated me from my brothers and sisters in faith, as I observed the suffering of those outside of his manor. As I grew older, I would often sneak off and mingle with the locals, learning of the suffering of the outside world, and of their belief that each individual person has a small portion of GOD embedded within their soul - this is what they believed He wishes to strengthen within them, and I have found that one of His ways to do such is through suffering. For what would we be but dust and ash if not for His essence within each of us, making a spiritual template for our mortal souls to follow through upon?

 

Upon turning 18, I decided it best to set out and find my own place within the world. Upon receiving the blessing of Uncle Ostromir and my parents, I began to venture the realm of Almaris, visiting the dwarves of Uruguan, the elves of the Silver State, the Heartlanders of Norland (who’s faith happens to contain several logical fallacies, but that is a separate issue), and the deserts near Sutica and its vassals. On my travels, I was attacked by a group of bandits, who taking me for a ‘disgusting Orenian noble’, nearly cut me in half and took what little personal possessions I had remaining, then left me to bleed to death in the desert.

Perhaps it was blood loss, perhaps it was the heat of the Sun upon my face, but having made peace with GOD, I was greeted with a vision of Saint Michael of Cordobe. He approached me, placed a hand upon my injured shoulder, and upon our mutual intensive prayer, I felt the healing power of GOD himself course through my wounds. I did not understand, and so I inquired of the Saint, “What is it you ask of me? Why has GOD spared my life?” Saint Michael cast a merciful glance upon me, to which he simply answered “Amen I say to you, it is not your time, my child. Go and help those less fortunate, and spread the word of the Lord. May He bless you on your journey.” Within a blink of an eye, his immaculate form disappeared, leaving me confused yet empowered with a new meaning to my life.

With this, I have journeyed and studied, learning about the history of His church, and pondering His choice to bestow suffering upon his faithful flock. I was able to identify three kinds of suffering. The first kind is the obvious suffering caused by physical discomfort, from the minor pain of stubbing a toe, hunger, and lack of sleep, to the agony of chronic disease. It is also the emotional suffering that arises when you become frustrated, when things don’t go your way, when you question life’s injustices, worry about money, or fear you will not meet the expectations of others.

A second, more primal form of suffering is that of change. When we finally acquire what we have yearned for our entire lives, we may never truly keep it. Even if things are going great now, it’s just a matter of time. The richest, most successful person in the world will eventually lose it all, only having the treasure of GOD’s kingdom in the Seven Skies to look forward to. The final form of suffering is our spiritual suffering, the general background of anxiety and insecurity that taints even our happiest moments. Deep down, we fear that our short life doesn’t offer us solid ground, and that our very existence is questionable. Brothers and sisters in faith, it is natural for us to feel such a way - for we are but a small portion of GOD’s infinite wisdom. Believe in Him, and He will walk with you through the suffering that is our existence here on Earth.

Whenever there is pain of any kind, the pain of aggression, grieving, loss, irritation, resentment, jealousy, indigestion, physical pain, upon deep personal reflection and introspection, we find that behind the pain there is always a silver lining, our merciful and loving GOD’s true message embedded within our suffering. Without suffering, those moments of true serenity and happiness would not have the meaning they do to us now. We would not develop spiritually and mentally without the challenges GOD throws in our path. I thank GOD for his interjection within the desert, and I pray that I may live up to His expectations for me, that I may carry out the mission that He entrusted Saint Michael of Cordobe, the saint of the white bull, to introduce to me. May GOD be with you, my brothers and sisters in faith.

 

Penned by Acolyte Leonid Carrion

Edited April 9, 2021 by BogsBinny

[bugbytes21 790]

Spoiler

This, by far, has to be one of THE BEST thesis's I have read to DATE. Good job man. 

 

[coolguy911 1]

Beautiful and poignant. God's love knows no bounds.