Three separate ideas of suffering: the Stoic belief that suffering can be controlled, the Christian belief that suffering is for the glory of God, and the Buddhist belief that suffering just is.
001
I am of the nature to grow old.
I cannot escape old age.I am of the nature to grow ill.
I cannot escape illness.I am of the nature to die.
I cannot escape death.All that is dear to me will change and be separated from me.
I am the owner of my actions.
— The Five Remembrances
002
When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. — John 11:4
003
Work, therefore to be able to say to every harsh appearance, "You are but an appearance, and not absolutely the thing you appear to be." And then examine it by those rules which you have, and first, and chiefly, by this: whether it concerns the things which are in our own control, or those which are not; and, if it concerns anything not in our control, be prepared to say that it is nothing to you. — Epictetus