To live is to suffer

I’m studying two ideologies:

• The first noble truth of Buddhism, Dukka, that “to live is to suffer” but that there is a path to liberation through enlightenment; and
• Scott’s Peck’s assertion in The Road Less Travelled that “life is difficult”. That suffering is a necessary part of personal development towards psychological wholeness in this life, achieved through discipline, love, and truth.

…and how those intersect with a Christian faith:

• That Christ bore humanity’s suffering (Isaiah 53:4-5) on our behalf.
• That suffering and adversity produce perseverance (Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:2-4) which leads to hope and maturity. And, as such, should be embraced.