If It Doesn't Kill You It Makes You Stronger??

Is there virtue in suffering? When you google the verb suffering you end up with lots of hits on the religious virtues of suffering (as in Jesus' suffering on the cross), but I think that their is also secular virtue in suffering.

We used to say at the college "if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger" - and we believed it. I think of the inner strength and character that was cultivated by survivoring Vietnam POWs. Similarly I think of cancer survivors who developed inner strength and belief.

I do not know whether the strength of faith, belief in self or other belief develops character, but clearly through the suffering some can find great strength and purpose.

Suffering aids us in seeing the real worth of things. When one passes through the experience of intense suffering, and perhaps comes to the threshold of death, the entire world can take on new meaning. The singing of the birds is more vivid than it ever has been. A fresh spring day makes the soul ecstatic. Family and friends take on a new preciousness.

Christopher Reeve, who starred as “Superman” in the movies, was involved in a life-threatening accident, and discovered that in real life he was not as invincible as the character he portrayed. Prior to his death, Mr. Reeve commented that since being paralyzed, he has discovered a new zest for life. Indeed, suffering can provide a sharper vision of life’s priorities. As the poet John Dryden expressed it: “We, by our suff’rings, learn to prize our bliss” (Astraea Redux). He that hath an ear, let him hear what suffering whispers to the soul.

I walked a mile with Pleasure

She chatted all the way, But left me none the wiser

For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow

And ne’er a word said she;

But oh, the things I learned from her

When Sorrow walked with me!