Everyone has heard the term “no pain, no gain.” And there is a time and place for this perception, such as when you are working out at the gym or studying for a big exam. But, many people live their lives thinking that suffering buys them something. This is called the Atonement Archetype and it’s not only a terrible way to live your life, but it’s also a huge health risk!
Are you Suffering Needlessly from the Atonement Archetype?
This is very strange, I just asked my minister about this about an hour ago and then saw this. I asked him “Does God want us to suffer?” and “Does he punish us for not doing what he wants?” because I feel like, while I suffer, I see so much unnecessary suffering everyday. He responded, “Yes.” As a Christian, I want to do as God wants. My minister responded that because Christ suffered, we are to emulate him-not suffer all the time, but that life was about suffering and joy. However, I feel like I and others suffer needlessly, and create more of our own problems sometime-as though it’s doing some good in the world. I’m having some existential issues right now. I don’t expect to be happy all the time, but I also don’t feel like suffering for the sake of suffering is useful.
Thank you so much for your video. I’d never heard of the Atonement Archetype, but I think it’s true of many women in my family.
God does not want us to suffer. God wants us to be happy. An ancient prophet said, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy. ” Another prophet said, “Happiness is the object and design of our existence.” Christ suffered that we might NOT suffer. We suffer because we, or others, disobey God. Why does that happen? Because God values one thing above all else. Agency–the right to choose. Yes, there can be suffering no matter what we choose, but the suffering that comes as a result of our choices is far more damning than that which comes from outside.
Thanks for this great mantra.