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Suffering is a gift.
Bear with me as I attempt to explain.
(thread)
Bear with me as I attempt to explain.
(thread)
My first memories (literally) are of a profound tragedy in my family. A shocking & painful death. They are of pain, & of people comforting each other in pain. Then, when I became a teen, it happened again.
Empathy was my first skill. It was a survival mechanism. Instinctive.
Empathy was my first skill. It was a survival mechanism. Instinctive.
So, I thought everybody had it. Not true. As life went on, I learned that the hard way, bc a family that knows death very well also knows that every goodbye could be the last. So, my 2nd skill was instinctive forgiveness. Not as a virtue, as a survival mechanism. Pain avoidance.
It made for plenty of opportunities to learn about human nature. Naturally, 1 thing that has fascinated me my entire life is ppl who have neither empathy nor forgiveness.
Many years ago I committed never to be close emotionally to anyone who hasn't suffered. I'll tell you why.
Many years ago I committed never to be close emotionally to anyone who hasn't suffered. I'll tell you why.
In my profession, I've had occasion to work with forensic psychologists often, to evaluate forensic psych evals, & to examine the psych experts on the stand. What I say here is my commentary on my experience, & their unanimous informal opinion in personal conversations.
It may not appear in a textbook. Perhaps @FiatLuxGenesis can confirm.
To continue, people with borderline narcissistic personality disorder have stunted capacity for empathy & forgiveness. It's not completely lacking, like w/ psychopaths, but it might as well be.
The thing is
To continue, people with borderline narcissistic personality disorder have stunted capacity for empathy & forgiveness. It's not completely lacking, like w/ psychopaths, but it might as well be.
The thing is
it is essentially untreatable, either with medication or counseling. They all report to me that nothing helps. The only thing they've seen help is tragedy. Real pain. Something that opens them up to compassion.
Narcissism is probably the most undiagnosed condition for
Narcissism is probably the most undiagnosed condition for
this reason. It's untreatable, & there's no way for big pharma to profit from the dx.
But ... you all know one ... or 100. It has become the predominant state of mind in this country. It's a learned condition. It's everywhere. And only suffering & tragedy can break thru it &
But ... you all know one ... or 100. It has become the predominant state of mind in this country. It's a learned condition. It's everywhere. And only suffering & tragedy can break thru it &
what is it, essentially?
It is essentially the primary deadly sin.
PRIDE.
Suffering is a gift from The Father who loves us & desperately wants to teach us to love, so that we can imitate His Son, attain salvation, & spend eternity ... loving.
So,
It is essentially the primary deadly sin.
PRIDE.
Suffering is a gift from The Father who loves us & desperately wants to teach us to love, so that we can imitate His Son, attain salvation, & spend eternity ... loving.
So,
What's coming is a gift. He always does what's best for our souls.
Always.
God is never cruel. Please remember that in the coming days.
Always.
God is never cruel. Please remember that in the coming days.
Colossians 1:24
