Divine Inspiration by Lily

How Can We Avoid Suffering?

What can lead to pain and suffering?

We all experience suffering, whether it’s the loss of a job, a divorce, a breakup, people who set a goal in life and feel like they failed, or the death of a loved one, financial struggles, feeling like an outcast, or being in an unhappy relationship, a job you do not like can also lead to profound suffering. The pain and anguish can be overwhelming.  The feeling of not being accepted or belonging can be a heavy burden to bear. All these situations can lead or trigger pain and suffering, it also leads to sadness and depression.  What makes us sad or depress is how we process those feelings and emotions.

When a negative event or circumstance happens to us, that makes us feel sad or unhappy, you have two choices. First, you can’t change what just happened. It is a waste of time, effort and energy. What we have to start asking ourselves “What did I learn?” from this negative experience or event. When you start focusing on yourself, that you are the important person in all this, things begin to change. HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE, NOT A RESULT, IT WON’T COME TO YOU, IT CAN ONLY COME FROM YOU.

For example, when we lose a love one, the pain is unbearable. But, instead on focusing on our pain, focus on how happy your love one is now.  My dad died of cancer, I was feeling sadness, and I cried. Then, I focused on where he is at, right now. When our body has a terminal illness, the spirit can no longer live in it. So, it departs. The human body needs a spirit to live in, and the spirit needs a human body to live in.  His spirit lives on, and knowing that he is no longer suffering, he is free of pain, makes me happy. So, I changed the focus of my pain, to him being – pain free. Every suffering or emotional pain comes from what we are thinking. Therefore, I was able to process grief in a healthy way.

When someone hurts you, you have the choice to either decide to suffer or move on. By suffering you are choosing someone else to have that power over you. But, when you choose to move on you gain control and power of your life, feelings and emotions. Before moving on, ask yourself.  “What have I learned?”. You build strength, confidence and character.

Ultimately, suffering is unavoidable, a mixed variety of emotional, psychological, and circumstantial factors. It’s important to understand that each person’s journey and way to dealing with suffering is different. By cultivating a sense of processing the pain the right way, we can help alleviate the burdens that so many carry.

How can we avoid suffering?

First, we have to change our mindset.  Start with gratitude.  Think of the things you have – instead of what you DON’T have.  Resetting your mindset to one of gratitude can be a powerful way.  It’s not about denying your struggles or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about choosing to focus on what you do have, rather than what you don’t. When you approach life with a spirit of gratitude, it has a way of softening the edges of your difficulties and helping you find the silver linings. 

Let’s look into some examples:

• Let’s say you don’t have a lot of money, but you still have a roof over your head.
• You are probably not physically in shape, but you are not terminal ill.
• You might not have a lot of food, but you did not go to bed hungry.

Give it a try – you may be amazed by the change in your mindset can avoid pain and suffering. You don’t choose whether or not you’ll suffer, but you do choose what you want to suffer for. TRUST YOURSELF, TRUST LIFE, TRUST GOD, TRUST IN THE PROCESS. You got this!!!

If you are experiencing mental health issues, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

ADDITIONAL RELATED ARTICLES:
Emotional Balance
Is Happiness a State of Mind?
What is Spiritual Pain?

Additional Resources: Elevate your journey with additional resources for personal growth, motivate, and strengthen your mindset and faith. Lily’s Creative Studio offers valuable insights, digital product writing activity sheets for transforming, improving and healing your spiritual journey. Thank you for your support!