Suffering
Not to lament or rejoice in hours of trial, but remember God and the possibilities of the future[edit]
"Lament not in your hours of trial, neither rejoice therein; seek ye the Middle Way which is the remembrance of Me in your afflictions and reflection over that which may befall you in future."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 43)
"As to the statement of Job, chapter 19, verses 25-27, `I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth,' the meaning here is: I shall not be abased, I have a Sustainer and a Guardian, and my Helper, my Defender will in the end be made manifest. And although now my flesh be weak and clothed with worms, yet shall I be healed, and with these mine own eyes, that is, mine inner sight, I shall behold Him. This did Job say after they had reproached him, and he himself had lamented the harms that his tribulations had wreaked upon him. And even when, from the terrible inroads of the sickness, his body was covered with worms, he sought to tell those about him that still he would be fully healed, and that in his very body, with his very eyes, he would gaze on his Redeemer."
- ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, sec. 145, pp. 171-172)
Some difficulties are unnecessary (though sometimes it may be essential)[edit]
"How often have things been simple and easy of accomplishment, and yet most men have been heedless, and busied themselves with that which wasteth their time!"
(the need for an official Universal Auxiliary Language was then referred to after this passage)
"There is a tendency in the American outlook on life at present to believe that suffering is produced by clumsiness and is not only avoidable but not a good thing, and not essential. While there is some truth in this attitude, we as Baha'is cannot but believe that suffering is often an essential part of our service. The Prophets suffered bitterly, so did all the Saints and Martyrs, and often `fed on the fragments of those broken hearts', as Baha'u'llah says in one of His beautiful prayers."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, letter to an individual believer, July 4, 1949; in Lights of Guidance, no. 1959, p. 580)
Suffering of the innocent[edit]
Avoid undue suffering[edit]
Bahá'ís Must Avoid Depleting Their Forces and Suffering Breakdowns[edit]
"...The Bahá'ís, in spite of their self-sacrificing desire to give the last drop of their strength to serving the Cause, must guard against utterly depleting their forces and having breakdowns. For this can sometimes do more harm than good, because they are so bound up in the lives of others....
"There is no doubt that there is vicarious atonement for others, and our sufferings sometimes can be in the nature of a sacrifice accepted for others. But where to draw the line is a mystery. If you take better care of your own health, and build up your reserves, it would certainly be better for you and for your work. Then your sensitive, yearning heart, although you may still often suffer for and with others, will be better able to withstand its trials, and you will not get so exhausted, which is certainly no asset to your work for the Cause."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, October 25, 1949, in Lights of Guidance, no. 941)
See also[edit]
Meaning behind suffering[edit]
[edit]
"As to your question concerning the meaning of physical suffering and its relation to mental and spiritual healing. Physical pain is a necessary accompaniment of all human existence, and as such is unavoidable. As long as there will be life on earth, there will be also suffering, in various forms and degrees. But suffering, although an inescapable reality, can nevertheless be utilised as a means for the attainment of happiness. This is the interpretation given to it by all the prophets and saints who, in the midst of severe tests and trials, felt happy and joyous and experienced what is best and holiest in life. Suffering is both a reminder and a guide. It stimulates us to better adapt ourselves to our environmental conditions, and thus leads the way to self-improvement. In every suffering one can find a meaning and a wisdom. But it is not always easy to find the secret of that wisdom. It is sometimes only when all our suffering has passed that we become aware of its usefulness. What man considers to be evil turns often to be a cause of infinite blessings. And this is due to his desire to know more than he can. God's wisdom is, indeed, inscrutable to us all, and it is no use pushing too far trying to discover that which shall always remain a mystery to our mind."
- (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, May 29, 1935, in Lights of Guidance, no. 944)
Despite very severe trials, when we accept God's will patiently and with faith and love, we will be compensated in other ways and rewarded[edit]
"Through the National Assembly the beloved Guardian heard of your serious illness and your sufferings, and he wishes me to assure you of his loving sympathy and of his ardent prayers for your relief.
"Life afflicts us with very severe trials sometimes, but we must always remember that when we accept patiently the will of God He compensates us in other ways. With faith and love we must be patient, and He will surely reward us."
