Webster defines pain as a: usually localized physical suffering associated with bodily disorder (as a disease or an injury); also b: a basic bodily sensation induced by a noxious stimulus, received by naked nerve endings, characterized by physical discomfort (as pricking, throbbing, or aching), and typically leading to evasive action b: acute mental or emotional distress or suffering such as grief

Webster defines suffering as a: to submit to or be forced to endure

Pain and suffering comes in many forms and sizes. It can be caused by things we use or by things we don’t use.

There is the daily pain of the needle prick which causes very little suffering, as the pain is short lived. However, if not done faithfully, there may lay ahead much suffering such as kidney or heart problems, loss of sight or limbs.

There arethings that, if not used, will lead to pain and suffering.
There are other things that when used toexcess can cause pain and suffering for loved ones.

There is always pain and suffering (see pain b: above) when we lose parents. The pain will last a long time, most probably a lifetime. Though I’ve lost my parents, I have not lost a child. I can’t answer how the pain of losing parents compares to losing a child of your own. I hope to never find that out, and I pray for those that have.

How about the pain caused by these six? Another short lived pain that is gone when the toughness arrives and the sweetness begins.

Then there is the pain and suffering caused by fire. For eleven years, I have been associated with Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety.  One of the ways I’m involved is by donating dogtags for the kids and counselors to wear at the annual burn camp that is sponsored by the alliance . The burn camp is for children ages 8 thru 17 that have been burned. Many have been burned quite badly , with scars to last a lifetime. Several of the counselors also are burn victims so know and understand the pain and suffering. The camp gives the kids week to mingle with others that have been burned. Media day brings clowns ,bikers and rides on the fire apparatus and horse drawn wagon .

The goal of Wisconsin Alliance for Fire Safety is to eliminate burns of all kinds.

Would you do me a favor, please?You may think it’s a Pain to change the battery in your smoke detector, but it just might eliminate some Suffering and tears.