The Difference Between Pain and Suffering

  • Suffering is optional.  Pain isn’t.  If you don’t have to undergo it, but you are, then it’s suffering.
  • Pain is usually some form of fear.  Suffering is usually some kind of complaint.
  • Pain is more basic than suffering.  Suffering can be derived from pain.  Suffering is often based on the way we perceive pain.
  • Pain is the resistance to change.  Suffering is the resistance to pain. Suffering prolongs pain.
  • Pain does not automatically lead to suffering.  Pain is not the cause of suffering.  Suffering can, however, be the cause of more pain.
  • Suffering is a chosen response to pain.  Those who suffer are often unaware that their suffering is optional.  They confuse their suffering with pain.
  • Suffering is intimately tied to the roles of victim or martyr. Those in pain don’t see themselves as victims.
  • Those who suffer usually have a vested interest in suffering.  Their identities may be tied up in their suffering, and they will resist if someone tries to take their suffering away from them or replace their suffering with a new kind of suffering if the suffering is removed.
  • Consciously or unconsciously, suffering is often goal-oriented.  People who suffer are usually trying to get something out of it.  Those experiencing pain have no ulterior motive.
  • Pain is usually the way each of us communicates with our own self.  Pain is the way a deeper aspect of our self tries to get our own attention.  Suffering is more manipulative.  It’s often the way we try to get attention from others.
  • Those who experience pain often find their pain reduced or even eliminated through acceptance of the person, thing or situation causing the pain.  Those who undergo suffering often find it aggravated when they resign themselves to whatever is causing the suffering.
  • Pain can be transformed into something useful.  Suffering can turn into something harmful.
  • Pain can be transcended.  One can only wallow in his or her suffering.
  • People can learn from pain.  Their suffering can only be repeated.

© 2022 by Michael C. Just

Mike’s novel, The Dirt: The Journey of a Mystic Cowboy, is available in softcover or eBook formats through Amazon.

You can purchase the book through this website. Or go straight to amazon at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+dirt+journey+of+a+mystic+cowboy&crid=1S40Q4BXSUWJ6&sprefix=the+dirt%3A+journey+of+a+m%2Caps%2C180&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_23

Mike’s other titles, including The Crippy, The Mind Altar, and Canyon Calls, are available through this website or through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B002

Four of his short stories have recently been published online:

Lies, Ltd. has been published by The Mystery Tribune @ Lies, Ltd.: Literary Short Fiction by Michael C. Just (mysterytribune.com)

The Obligate Carnivore has been published by the Scarlet Leaf Review @ Category: MICHAEL JUST – SCARLET LEAF REVIEW

I See You, Too has been published by the 96th of October @ I See You, Too – 96th of October

Offload, a short story about a man who can heal any disease, is now live and can be read at The Worlds Within at Offload – The Worlds Within