Just In Case You Forgot, Pain Is Temporary
Pain makes us think. Thought makes us wise. Wisdom makes life endurable. Without pain, there would be no suffering, and without suffering, we would never learn from our mistakes.
We all know the feeling—that gut-wrenching, all-consuming pain that will never end.
Whether it's the ache of a broken heart, the agony of a physical injury, or the anguish of losing a loved one, pain is an unavoidable part of the human experience.
But here's the thing: no matter how unbearable it may seem in the moment, all pain is temporary.
No matter how deep the wound, how intense the suffering, or how hopeless the situation may feel, it will pass. And on the other side of that pain lies growth, resilience, and transformation.
As the famous Buddhist teacher Pema Chödrön says, "Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know."
Every heartbreak, failure, and moment of anguish is an opportunity—an invitation to learn, heal, and become stronger than we were before.
I know this firsthand. I have had my share of pain, and I remember a few years when I used to reflect on my upbringing and wonder how it could have been better and less painful!
But then I remembered the mantra I had been repeating throughout my youth: "Remember that pain is temporary." I focused on God, worked hard through it, and pushed through the discomfort. And you know what? I am doing better, and the accomplishments far outweigh the temporary pain I experienced.
That experience taught me a valuable lesson: no matter how intense the pain may be in the moment, it will pass. On the other side of that pain lies growth, resilience, and transformation—if we're willing to meet it head-on.
So, how can we remember that pain is temporary, even in our darkest moments?
Here are three key strategies:
1. Adopt a Growth Mindset
Instead of viewing challenges as threats, see them as chances to learn and improve. As psychologist Carol Dweck has shown, people with a growth mindset are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks and ultimately achieve tremendous success.
When you're going through a difficult time, ask yourself: "What can I learn from this experience? How can I use this as an opportunity to grow and become a better version of myself?" Reframing pain as a chance for growth can make it feel more manageable and empowering.
2. Practice Self-Compassion
It's easy to beat ourselves up when we're feeling pain or struggling. However, research shows that self-compassion—being kind and understanding towards ourselves, just as we would a dear friend—is one of the most potent antidotes to suffering.
So the next time you're going through a hard time, treat yourself with the same care and tenderness you would a loved one. Remember that your pain is valid and understandable and that you deserve support and kindness, even (and especially) from yourself.
3. Keep the Big Picture in Mind
When we're in the throes of pain, it can feel all-consuming and never-ending. But it's essential to keep the long-term perspective in mind.
Ask yourself: "Will this matter in a week? A month? A year from now?" More often than not, the answer is no. The intense emotions we feel in the moment have a way of fading, and what once felt like the end of the world becomes just a distant memory.
This big-picture outlook can provide much-needed context and remind us that even the deepest pain is temporary. As the saying goes, "This too shall pass."
Of course, remembering that pain is temporary doesn't make it less authentic or valid. Grief, heartbreak, anxiety, and other forms of suffering are genuine and deserve to be honoured and processed.
By adopting a growth mindset, practicing self-compassion, and keeping the long-term perspective in mind, we can learn to weather the storms of life with more resilience and grace.
We can transform our pain into power and use it as fuel for positive change.
As the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."
Every heartbreak, failure, and moment of anguish is an opportunity—an invitation to learn, heal, and become a better version of ourselves.
So the next time you face pain or adversity, remember: this too shall pass. With the right mindset and support, you have the power to endure and emerge stronger than before.
The temporary discomfort is worth it for the lasting growth and transformation on the other side.
After all, as the ancient Stoic philosopher Seneca reminds us, "The greatest remedy for anger is delay." By simply remembering that pain is fleeting, we can learn to ride out the storm instead of getting swept away.
So take a deep breath, be kind to yourself, and trust that this moment of suffering will not last forever. On the other side of that pain lies a more robust, wiser, and more resilient version of you.
And that, my friends, is worth fighting for.
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