by Regular Contributor Leah Halpert
Why do humans suffer? This question is one of the oldest in psychology, philosophy, and religion since the beginning of our existence.
📌 Why Am I Here to Explore the Depths of Suffering?
I began to experience suffering when my husband unexpectedly passed away last year due to mental anxiety. His sudden death left me engulfed in overwhelming pain that shook my very being. His passing awakened something within me, prompting me to confront a new reality I had never faced before. It pushed me into a space where survival and living took on entirely new meanings, forever changing my understanding of suffering.
Why do humans suffer? This question is one of the oldest in psychology, philosophy, and religion since the beginning of our existence.
📌 Why Am I Here to Explore the Depths of Suffering?
I began to experience suffering when my husband unexpectedly passed away last year due to mental anxiety. His sudden death left me engulfed in overwhelming pain that shook my very being. His passing awakened something within me, prompting me to confront a new reality I had never faced before. It pushed me into a space where survival and living took on entirely new meanings, forever changing my understanding of suffering.
Since then, God has opened my eyes, and I have started to hear stories of loss and pain from nearly everyone I encounter, including strangers on social media. I have come to realize that suffering is inevitable and a universal aspect of human existence that distinctly and deeply affects us all.
As I face this critical challenge in life, I would like to share my insights in the hopes of resonating with you.
📌 What Is Suffering and Have You Felt Its Impact?
Suffering arises from various sources, such as illness, loss, trauma, personal struggles, and challenging life situations. It is often linked to feelings of sorrow, anxiety, or despair, with its intensity and duration varying among individuals. This complex experience encompasses physical, emotional, or mental pain, distress, and hardship.
Have you experienced its effect on your life?
👉 Despite Harsh Political and Economic Struggles, I Did Not Feel Suffering Growing Up.
Growing up in a communist country marked by famine, poverty, and political turmoil, I never felt I had enough to eat as a little girl. I was always hungry and often felt dirty. However, this harsh environment forged resilience and determination within me, shaping who I am today. It did not break me but rather strengthened my will to survive and thrive.
External factors and circumstances beyond an individual's control, such as poverty, inequality, war, and natural disasters, can profoundly affect suffering and the experience of it. Children may suffer less than adults due to their innocent hearts, which help them better navigate hardships.
👉 The Biological and Psychological Roots of Suffering
✅ Biologically, genetic variations and defects influence brain chemistry and emotional regulation, making individuals more susceptible to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Suffering is also closely linked to our survival instincts. For example, pain is a biological mechanism that alerts us to injury or danger.
✅ Psychologically, suffering often arises from unresolved emotional trauma, mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, and challenges in coping with stress or loss. Our perception and interpretation of events significantly influence our experience of suffering.
👉 The Biblical Perspectives of Suffering
📍The Fall of Man (Sin and Disobedience): The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden introduced sin and suffering into the world. Human suffering is often attributed to the consequences of disobedience to God. (Genesis 3:16-19)
📍The Testing of Faith: Suffering can serve as a test of faith, with trials fostering perseverance and spiritual growth. (James 1:2-4)
📍Persecution for Righteousness: Believers may experience suffering when they are persecuted for living in accordance with God’s principles and advocating for righteousness. (Matthew 5:10-12)
📍 Divine Discipline and Correction: Suffering can serve as a form of divine discipline designed to correct and guide believers towards holiness and spiritual growth. (Hebrews 12:6)
📍The Consequences of Sin (Personal and Corporate): Sin, whether personal or communal, can lead to suffering as a natural result of disobeying God's laws. (Galatians 6:7-8)
📍Spiritual Warfare: Suffering can also stem from spiritual battles, where believers confront assaults from malevolent forces in the spiritual realm. (Ephesians 6:12)
📍Human Frailty and Mortal Life: Suffering is inherent to the human condition as part of life in a fallen world. It relates to human frailty, injustice, and the imperfection of earthly existence. (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17)
📍God’s Sovereignty and Hidden Purposes: Sometimes, suffering happens as part of God's greater plan, which may not always be immediately clear but ultimately benefits the believer. (Romans 8:28)
📍The Influence of the Enemy (Satan): The Bible acknowledges that Satan aims to bring suffering, destruction, and temptation into the lives of believers, who must resist him through faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
📍The Mystery of God’s Plan (Unexplained Suffering): Job's suffering illustrates that some pain can seem unexplained or mysterious; however, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty even in the face of inexplicable hardships. (Job 1:21)
Ultimately, while there is no single answer to why humans suffer, it is a complex and multifaceted issue that encompasses our biology, psychology, emotions, relationships, beliefs, and the very essence of existence.
❤️ The Bible offers a comprehensive understanding of the various causes of suffering from a spiritual perspective, including sin and its consequences, spiritual testing, persecution, and God's refining process.
As I face this critical challenge in life, I would like to share my insights in the hopes of resonating with you.
📌 What Is Suffering and Have You Felt Its Impact?
Suffering arises from various sources, such as illness, loss, trauma, personal struggles, and challenging life situations. It is often linked to feelings of sorrow, anxiety, or despair, with its intensity and duration varying among individuals. This complex experience encompasses physical, emotional, or mental pain, distress, and hardship.
Have you experienced its effect on your life?
👉 Despite Harsh Political and Economic Struggles, I Did Not Feel Suffering Growing Up.
Growing up in a communist country marked by famine, poverty, and political turmoil, I never felt I had enough to eat as a little girl. I was always hungry and often felt dirty. However, this harsh environment forged resilience and determination within me, shaping who I am today. It did not break me but rather strengthened my will to survive and thrive.
External factors and circumstances beyond an individual's control, such as poverty, inequality, war, and natural disasters, can profoundly affect suffering and the experience of it. Children may suffer less than adults due to their innocent hearts, which help them better navigate hardships.
👉 The Biological and Psychological Roots of Suffering
✅ Biologically, genetic variations and defects influence brain chemistry and emotional regulation, making individuals more susceptible to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. Suffering is also closely linked to our survival instincts. For example, pain is a biological mechanism that alerts us to injury or danger.
✅ Psychologically, suffering often arises from unresolved emotional trauma, mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, and challenges in coping with stress or loss. Our perception and interpretation of events significantly influence our experience of suffering.
👉 The Biblical Perspectives of Suffering
📍The Fall of Man (Sin and Disobedience): The fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden introduced sin and suffering into the world. Human suffering is often attributed to the consequences of disobedience to God. (Genesis 3:16-19)
📍The Testing of Faith: Suffering can serve as a test of faith, with trials fostering perseverance and spiritual growth. (James 1:2-4)
📍Persecution for Righteousness: Believers may experience suffering when they are persecuted for living in accordance with God’s principles and advocating for righteousness. (Matthew 5:10-12)
📍 Divine Discipline and Correction: Suffering can serve as a form of divine discipline designed to correct and guide believers towards holiness and spiritual growth. (Hebrews 12:6)
📍The Consequences of Sin (Personal and Corporate): Sin, whether personal or communal, can lead to suffering as a natural result of disobeying God's laws. (Galatians 6:7-8)
📍Spiritual Warfare: Suffering can also stem from spiritual battles, where believers confront assaults from malevolent forces in the spiritual realm. (Ephesians 6:12)
📍Human Frailty and Mortal Life: Suffering is inherent to the human condition as part of life in a fallen world. It relates to human frailty, injustice, and the imperfection of earthly existence. (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17)
📍God’s Sovereignty and Hidden Purposes: Sometimes, suffering happens as part of God's greater plan, which may not always be immediately clear but ultimately benefits the believer. (Romans 8:28)
📍The Influence of the Enemy (Satan): The Bible acknowledges that Satan aims to bring suffering, destruction, and temptation into the lives of believers, who must resist him through faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
📍The Mystery of God’s Plan (Unexplained Suffering): Job's suffering illustrates that some pain can seem unexplained or mysterious; however, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty even in the face of inexplicable hardships. (Job 1:21)
Ultimately, while there is no single answer to why humans suffer, it is a complex and multifaceted issue that encompasses our biology, psychology, emotions, relationships, beliefs, and the very essence of existence.
❤️ The Bible offers a comprehensive understanding of the various causes of suffering from a spiritual perspective, including sin and its consequences, spiritual testing, persecution, and God's refining process.
About Leah Halpert
Leah Halpert, Ph.D., is a university professor and a distinguished biomedical scientist. After the tragic death of her most cherished husband, she transformed her unbearable grief into a higher calling led by the Holy Spirit, channeling her deepest sorrow into strength and purpose by sharing a life shaped by resilience, revelation, and hard-earned wisdom.
Dr. Halpert’s social media links on LinkedIn and Substack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-h-4407972a9/
https://leah19441.substack.com
Leah Halpert, Ph.D., is a university professor and a distinguished biomedical scientist. After the tragic death of her most cherished husband, she transformed her unbearable grief into a higher calling led by the Holy Spirit, channeling her deepest sorrow into strength and purpose by sharing a life shaped by resilience, revelation, and hard-earned wisdom.
Dr. Halpert’s social media links on LinkedIn and Substack: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-h-4407972a9/
https://leah19441.substack.com
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