Finding the Why

Although I still have not completely finished Man's Search for Meaning, the central idea that Frankl brings about is one that has resonated with me for a long time. We are made who we are by the hardships we endure. Its a curious thing, but it really seems to me that this book brings secular legitimacy to James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

This is one of the hardest and most important lessons we will ever have to grasp as Christians. In some scenarios, we can take joy because we know that this temporary hardship will bring something better in the long run. However, in Frankl's situation, even that would be a stretch. I think that there are two sides of this coin. When we suffer, and the long term benefit is clear to us, then the struggle is simply to persevere through the suffering and take joy that the benefit is to come. On the other hand, when we reach those times in our lives when we genuinely dont see a light at the end of the tunnel, I would venture to say that the struggle then becomes simply to endure. In that act, in those times of absolute desperation when it seems like we're barely holding on, I believe that Frankl and James would both agree that in that act, you are strengthened more than any other time. To quote Nietzsche, it is in those times that we are driven to grasp our "why" and thus, our very meaning in life.

p.s. I commented on Susan's