We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
There is such a blindness in the world. One of the common ways of being blind is from suffering in the world. There’s a simple reason why such blindness exists. It’s because we don’t want to see that suffering. Of course, this is completely understandable. Who in their right mind would want to see pain and suffering? The answer: no one. Even those who see it wish they could unsee it.
First of all, let’s ask the question of whether or not we should know about the suffering in the world. To not see suffering is to help one retain their “innocence.” It is known as “innocence” to a world that considers such innocence as being blind to such suffering. It allows the individual to keep a healthy, happy lifestyle without the burden of seeing someone else’s suffering. In addition, it prevents worry and doubt from that individual. But on the other hand, maybe it’s a good thing to see someone else’s suffering. Maybe it’s just a transition stage to full adulthood when one loses their “innocence.” Perhaps it is best to give up one’s healthy and happy lifestyle to help the weak and humble.
Allow me to change the perspective of this concept. While the world calls such blindness to suffering as “innocence,” some might call it ignorance. I call it ignorance because something bad is happening without the “innocent” individual from even noticing it. So whether or not the “innocent” (aka ignorant) individual sees the suffering of this world, the consequences of not seeing that suffering are still there. Such is the definition of ignorance, not innocence. We are to also be aware of the teachings of Proverbs from scripture, which repeatedly encourage us to grow in knowledge and avoid ignorant mistakes. And that’s what ignoring a hurt individual exactly is, an ignorant mistake.
The perfect example for suffering — and almost anything else — would be the example of Christ. And while we can relate to the life of Christ, let’s look at a more modern-day example. Madison Holleran was a star high-school athlete with above and beyond grades as well as great social status. She would get a scholarship to an Ivy-league school. You would think such success would lead to a happy life, but unfortunately she was diagnosed with depression. For those of you who may not understand depression, it’s similar to water boarding. And the water, or pain, is as real as anything else. But with water boarding, the person is never in real danger of losing their life. This torture method is used to give the person an illusion that they’re dying. But the actual danger to life is not real. Similarly, depression involves chemicals in the brain that make the person feel like everything is falling apart. But it’s really not. And that’s why suicide is such a tragedy. The pain is as real as anything else, but the danger to life isn’t real at all. It’s an illusion. Unfortunately, Madison Holleran committed suicide at the age of 19.
I began this article with a quote by the great theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The purpose of this article is to encourage you to see the suffering in the world as it is. Don’t be ignorant. Gain knowledge of the world around you.