Suffering 1: Are you terrified by pain?

• Most people in the West avoid pain, suffering, and death at all costs.
• People often use various addictive substances and activities to dull or avoid pain.
• We lock old people in nursing homes and keep kids from seeing death.
• Truly, people are terrified by the thought of pain and death.
• In some ways this is natural- even Jesus wrestled with the thought of future crucifixion in the Garden of Gethsemane, yet He said "Not my will be done, but yours" to the Father.
• Some pain is caused by our own sin, but much pain is caused by the sin of others, even by Adam and Eve's first sin.
• The world is broken and painful, as even our Lord promised, "In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.
• Orthodoxy is unique in embracing unavoidable* pain and suffering. We know it is temporary until heaven where there will be no pain. (*We should not deliberately create pain for ourselves!)
• Suffering can help us to learn patience, and allows us to comfort others, if we move past our self-centred approach to pain.
• Our Lord said to "weep with those who weep", so weep in company, as part of the church. 
• Be authentic about your pain- this is the way of life.
• Allow yourself enough time to grieve and heal from suffering.
• Don't wallow on your own in pain, which is a self-centred approach, but stay connected to others.
• Don't try to manipulate others to make you feel better, but accept genuine comfort from others.
• Don't tell others "there, there, don't cry", but listen and offer genuine support- even Christ wept when His friend died.
• Let God carry you through suffering and pain, remembering that it is only temporary.
• Sometimes God will teach us things if we stay genuinely joyful despite pain! (This is different to fake plastic smiles!)
• Learn 1 Peter 4;12-13:
  "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation."