Suffering

This is the advice given to us: “May I admonish you to allow the valiant Adjuster to fight with and for you as you journey through this world of toil, as the Adjuster cannot lessen the hardships of life but can bring forth the eternal purpose of your struggles.” 111:7.2

Suffering is an inevitability that allows for the cultivation of courage and the appreciation of pleasure. (3:5.6,14) 181:1.6

Avoid false sympathy and shallow commiseration in order to foster strong characters and true courage among believers. 159:3.11

Believers sustained by hope exhibit inexplicable poise and sustaining tranquillity in the face of all hardships, including acute physical suffering. 34:6.13 101:3.8 (156:5.13,20) 188:5.10

The discourse on Job taught John that human suffering is not always a punishment, but a path to spiritual insight and understanding. 148:6

The Universal Father may suffer in a way we cannot fully comprehend, but he shares in our afflictions with a fatherly understanding. 3:6.6

Suffer less by making fewer plans for others and accepting your duty faithfully. 48:6.36

Man suffers from accidents, imperfection, and sin, but the Father in heaven does not willingly afflict the children of men. 148:6.11

In all our triumphs and afflictions, God is with us, suffering and rejoicing in and with us, for His divine spirit is a part of us. 1:5.16 2:5.3 3:6.6 97:5.3

Suffering is transient, as none of the consequences of misbehavior can jeopardize your eternal prospects. 54:6.4

In administering wealth, decisions should favor those in undeserved suffering. 132:5.13

Man should not blame God for affliction he brings upon himself; instead, he should work persistently towards the betterment of his earthly estate. 148:5.3

Nebadon being forged under hammer of infinite mystery, revealing a being equal to God in divinity and capable of activating the Paradise pattern. 9:1.7

The four noble truths of suffering in Buddhism form the basis of Gautama's original gospel. 94:8.3-8

Suffering is not sent as arbitrary punishment for wrongdoing, but rather a natural consequence of the choices we make in life. 97:6.3 148:5.3 (166:4.3,10)

Rest in the unassailable citadel of the spirit amid earthly turmoil. 100:2.7

In the Urantia Book

Primitive man sufferings

• Permian was the era of biologic tribulation, marking the transition from marine life to the subsequent ages of land animals, a time of great life impoverishment and nearly vanishing life on Earth. 59:6
• Primitive tribes experienced destitution and real suffering before the dawn of early frugality and primitive industry. 69:2.2
• Savages believed spirits derived satisfaction from seeing human misery and suffering, leading to the development of propitiation rituals. 89:0.2
• Shamanic theories of ghostly influences, violent causes, magic spells, sin punishment, and natural causation have evolved over time in explaining the origins of suffering and disease. 90:3.4-9

Jesus

• Jesus faced the awful moments of parting with his apostles, feeling a crushing cruelty in his heart as he prepared for his imminent death. 182:3.9
• Jesus endured great anguish and untold sorrow as he faced the trial of drinking the cup and bidding farewell to his apostles, experiencing the natural ebb and flow of human emotions. 182:3.7
• The suffering of mortals, caused by the misdeeds of Caligastia and Adam, deeply moved Jesus, prompting his divine mercy and determination to restore order to the universe. 145:3.7 148:5.2

Benefits deriving from suffering

• about the compensations for tribulation see link to compensations | compensations
• Suffering, such as anxiety, inhibits activity and leads to evolutionary changes, making it essential to progressive evolution. 86:2.1
• The cosmos' greatest affliction is never having been afflicted, as mortals only gain wisdom through tribulation. 48:7.14
• Through much tribulation, many will enter the kingdom, as Jesus chose to establish the kingdom of heaven in the hearts of mankind through difficult and trying methods. 136:8.6 137:6.5 181:2.29
• The Supreme's emerging presence may transform suffering into character-building fire, shaping mortals into tempered steel. 118:10.9
• The purpose of affliction is not arbitrary punishment, but a means for spiritual growth and overcoming earthly misery. 148:5 151:0.1
• Correction in suffering is a divine act of love and compassion, not a random occurrence. 148:5.5
• Trials reveal man's soul, disclosing true character and trustworthiness in times of testing. 165:6.2
• Wisdom is only gained through experiencing tribulation, as those who have not suffered may never seek the truth and salvation. 48:7.14 132:7.2

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• We are never alone 181:1.6 — Jn 16:32-33.
• Fruits of the spirit 34:6.13 — Ga 5:22-23; Eph 5:9.
• Kingdom of God not meat... 34:6.13 — Ro 14:17. *Kingdom of God*: Mt 6:33; Mt 12:28; Mt 19:24; Mt 21:31,43; Mk 1:14-15; Mk 4:11,26,30; Mk 9:1,47; Mk 10:14-15,23-25; Mk 12:34; Mk 14:25; Mk 15:43; Lk 4:43; Lk 6:20; Lk 7:28; Lk 8:1,10; Lk 9:2,11,27; Lk 9:60,62; Lk 10:9-11; Lk 11:20; Lk 12:31-32; Lk 13:18,20,28,29; Lk 14:15; Lk 16:16; Lk 17:20-21; Lk 18:16-17,24-25; Lk 19:11; Lk 21:31; Lk 22:16-18; Lk 23:51; Jn 3:3,5; Ro 14:17; 1 Co 4:20; 1 Co 6:9-10. *Kingdom of heaven*: Mt 3:2; Mt 4:17; Mt 5:3,10,19-20; Mt 7:21; Mt 8:11; Mt 10:7; Mt 11:11-12; Mt 13:11,24,31-52; Mt 16:19; Mt 18:1-4,23; Mt 19:14,23; Mt 20:1; Mt 22:2; Mt 23:13; Mt 25:1,14. *Kingdom*: Mt 4:23; Mt 9:35; Mt 24:14.
• Spirit gravity 188:5.10 — Jer 31:3; Jn 6:44; Jn 12:32.
• In your afflictions, afflicted 3:6.6 — Is 63:9.
• Father does not willingly afflict 148:6.11 — Lam 3:33.
• God shares your afflictions 1:5.16 — Is 63:9.
• God triumphs with you 1:5.16 — 2 Co 2:14.
• In Him we live and move ... 1:5.16 — Acts 17:28.
• Chasten us for own profit 2:5.3 — Heb 12:10.
• In our afflictions he is afflicted 2:5.3 — Is 53:5; Is 63:9.
• Arise and shine, light comes 97:5.3 — Is 60:1.
• Spirit of the Lord is upon me 97:5.3 — Is 61:1.
• I will greatly rejoice in the Lord 97:5.3 — Is 61:10.
• He shared their afflcitions 97:5.3 — Is 63:9.
• No purposeful affliction 148:5.3 — Heb 12:5-11.
• Loved with an everlasting love 97:6.3 — Jer 31:3.
• He does not afflict willingly 97:6.3 — Lam 3:33.
• To a God-knowing believer 100:2.7 — Mt 6:25-34; Mt 10:28; Lk 12:4; Heb 13:6.
• Sacrificial system 89:0.2 — Lv 1:1-9:24.
• Agony of Jesus 182:3.7 — Lk 22:44.
• Enter kingdom via tribulation 136:8.6 — Acts 14:22.
• Kingdom won't come with noise, but in hearts 137:6.5 — Lk 17:20-21.
• You are friends 137:6.5 — Jn 15:14-15.
• Kingdom of tribulation and joy 137:6.5 — Jn 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rev 7:14.
• Foretells Peter's denial 181:2.29 — Mt 26:34; Mk 14:30; Lk 22:34; Jn 13:38.
• Strengthen Brethren 181:2.29 — Lk 22:32b.
• Despise not chastening 148:5.5 — Pr 3:11-12.
• Correction in suffering 148:5.5 — Job 5:17-18.
• Lord does not afflict willingly 148:5.5 — Lam 3:33.

Where it appears

Suffering is linked in 50 paragraphs of the text; the first 40 are listed.

See also

• difficulties
• disease
• injury

What links here