Let’s face it—we’re all suffering. Every single day. It might not always be visible, but it’s there. Some of us are fighting through deadlines at work, some through broken relationships, some through health issues, some through self-doubt. Life doesn’t really ask for our permission before throwing challenges at us.

But here’s the thing: suffering is not the enemy. In fact, suffering is part of being alive. The real question is what kind of suffering is worth our energy, and what kind is just noise we don’t need to hold on to?

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering. — Friedrich Nietzsche

Let’s dive in.

 

The Truth: You Can’t Escape Suffering

No matter who you are, where you live, or what you do, there’s no life without struggle. Even the happiest people you see on social media are dealing with pain behind the scenes. So instead of asking, “How do I avoid suffering?” a better question might be:

👉 “What kind of suffering am I willing to carry?”

That shift of mindset changes everything.

 

Necessary vs. Unnecessary Sufferings

Not all suffering is created equal. Some of it is valuable, some of it is useless.

• The pain of working hard for your goals. The discomfort of exercising when you’d rather stay in bed. The tough conversations that save relationships. This is the kind of suffering that builds you, these are necessary sufferings.
• Overthinking what people think of you. Holding on to grudges. Comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reels drains you without giving anything back. are the unnecessary sufferings.

Your task is simple but not easy: choose the first, release the second.

 

Making Suffering Enjoyable

Okay, this may sound strange—enjoy suffering? But yes, you can. Think about it:

• Athletes push their bodies to the limit, yet they smile when they win.
• Writers and creators wrestle with doubt every day, but they find joy when the work comes alive.
• Parents sacrifice sleep, money, and energy, but they wouldn’t trade the love they feel for their kids.

The suffering becomes bearable, even enjoyable, when it connects to a purpose you believe in.

Tip: When you’re struggling, ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Does this pain connect me to something I value?” If the answer is yes, lean into it.

 

How to Focus on the Suffering That Matters

• Identify Your Core Values—Know what really matters to you (family, health, growth, faith, creativity). If a struggle isn’t tied to these, maybe it’s not worth it.
• Stop Borrowing Suffering—Don’t carry other people’s burdens that aren’t yours to hold. You can support without self-destruction.
• Limit Noise—Ignore the petty stuff: office gossip, online comparisons, small daily irritations. Those sufferings don’t move your life forward.
• Turn Pain Into Practice—Use your struggles as fuel. If you’re stressed at work, let it sharpen your discipline. If you’re lonely, let it push you toward deeper connections.

 

The Beauty of Chosen Suffering

Start each day by asking yourself: “What will I choose to suffer for today?”

This isn’t about being negative. It’s about being intentional. When you know what you’re willing to suffer for, you become incredibly clear about what you’re not willing to suffer for.

You might choose to suffer for:

• The discomfort of a morning workout.
• The vulnerability of apologizing to someone you’ve hurt.
• The push for learning a new skill.
• The anxiety of taking on a challenging project.

And you might choose not to suffer for:

• Your coworker’s bad mood.
• Perfect stranger’s opinion about your life choices.
• Mistakes you made five years ago.
• Imaginary scenarios that will probably never happen.

 

Closing Thoughts

At the end of your life, you won’t remember most of your comfortable moments. You’ll remember the times you chose to do something difficult because it mattered.

You’ll remember the relationships you fought for, the goals you suffered to achieve, and the principles you maintained even when it cost you.

You’ll remember the times you chose meaningful suffering over meaningless comfort.

So here’s the question that will shape the rest of your days: What is worth suffering for?

Your answer to that question isn’t just about pain—it’s about purpose. It’s about who you are and who you’re becoming. It’s about the legacy you’re building with every choice to embrace necessary difficulty and reject unnecessary drama.

The suffering is coming whether you choose it or not. The only question is whether it will mean something.

Choose wisely.

 

💬 Ask Yourself This

What’s one suffering in your life right now that feels worth it—and one you know you need to let go of? 🤔

Pick a notebook, write it down.

– Stay happy, stay blessed