Last day, a cancer survivor walked into our OPD with severe back pain. A deeply religious man, he frequently embarks on spiritual journeys to places like Haridwar and Kedarnath.
I’ve seen a lot of patients struggle with long-term conditions over the years. It’s normal to lose hope because the journey is difficult. Many turn to spirituality for comfort as well as healing. I was therefore not surprised by his faith.
However, what he said did.
"I never asked God to end my suffering. Rather, I prayed for the fortitude to bear it.”
That struck in a different way.
He was unconsciously strengthening his own mind by requesting strength rather than a remedy. Hope was always inside of him, not outside of him.
We frequently look to other people or a higher power to make things better for us, expecting quick fixes. Perhaps, however, the true power is found in remaining steadfast and confronting life head-on. I met a teacher that day!
What is your way of dealing with difficulties?
MBH/PS
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True! Acknowledging the challenge itself is a great step. Once emotions are kept aside, we can obtain the strength and clarity needed to deal with it.
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Problems and challenges never end one after another they appear, but our strength fluctuates, when we feel weak things appear worse, therefore it’s much more important to have strength for whatever comes because problems won’t end and we need strength for long run, while a solution for one problem will only help temporarily. That person was far-sighted with a greater vision.
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Not everybody is strong enough to think such, you need an unwavering faith to accept the reality and ask the strength from Almighty!!! Many patients lose hope and are shattered. He is one strong willed entity…
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It’s a human tendency to look for quick fixes as negativity surrounds raising self doubts. Yes,healing from within which comes from the acceptance helps a lot. It gives us the strength to fight whether the disease is inside us or in the outside world.
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A better way of facing difficulties is that everyone has their own battles. Facing those situations without fear could help us handle the situation with more grit and consciousness. Presence of mind could help tackle any situation our own way.
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