The Strongest Souls Are The People Who Hide Their Pain From The World

Nov 13, 2018 by apost team

The hurt souls that feel every tinge of emotion pressing into them like hot brands as they cry out into the darkness of solitude are some of the strongest you’ll meet. They’re pained. They cry. They feel. Yet, their strength is understated and hidden from the world.

The strongest ones are those that put on a fake smile and say the perfunctory “I’m fine” or “I’m okay” when asked how they’re doing. They don’t give others even the slightest glimpse at the storm raging inside them. No one knows the inner battle, pain, and suffering just underneath the pleasantries.

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When strong souls fall apart, it’s in solitude and private. Tears fall behind closed doors. Pillows and blankets muffle the sobs and conceal the tearful evidence of their pain and suffering. The four walls of this living hell become an emotional prison, trapping the heartbreaking stories only to be read aloud there - alone.

Morning comes and the strongest souls don a new day’s facade of being okay. They stand prepared to move on with what’s likely the only thing they feel they can control - the decision to live, survive another day. So, they stick to their daily routine and ready themselves to tackle whatever comes their way. Another day of brave faces and pretending the pain devouring their soul doesn’t exist.

Although some of the strongest, these souls are terrified. They live in constant fear of being judged, condemned, and belittled if they show the vulnerability of pain and suffering. So, they hide their pain and the subsequent pain of suffering alone under a candy-coated shell of smiles and niceties. Every day is a fear of the shell cracking to reveal they’re breaking inside.

Secret battles rage inside these strong warrior souls. If you look closely you’ll likely see the dents and wear on their patched armor, but they’ll do anything not to let anyone see the underlying scars, bruises, and festering wounds plaguing their souls. The warrior may be bleeding inside, but they’ll make every excuse to minimize and redirect from any weakness visible to the naked eye. Falling apart in front of others simply isn’t an option.

The strongest souls believe they don’t have an option for weakness. Weakness only brings more hurt. Talking about their fears, doubts, sadnesses, and problems opens their soul up to be trampled by disappointment. Strong souls attempt to always keep a lid on their emotional content. Even with the trusted few, it’s almost impossible to put words to the feelings. Frustrated by the tedious process with unsure footing, they retreat back to the safety of silence.

It’s a must to hide the suffering in a world where society labels feelings and emotions as weaknesses and opportunistic moments. Experience has taught the strong souls that the world wants stoic, tough, and ruthlessness, not emotional. When only the strong survive and strength equates to dealing with everything and anything without complaint in this world, the purest strength is in suffering silently alone.

These strong souls stand in conviction, knowing they can and will survive when all they want to do is hide in the starvation of darkness. However many times life knocks them down, they’ll rise, though.

One day, you strong souls will look around and see that most around you are putting on the same show. They look fine. They act fine. They speak as though they’re fine. Inside, however, we are all struggling with our own silent battles.

Not a single person is exempt from pain. We all suffer in our own ways and contexts. We all deserve an outlet and portal to stop suffering in silence. There are others who understand, and it’s okay to share our vulnerabilities in this safe space. It doesn’t have to be a hurried process, and it will take effort to put words to the rhythm of emotions.

Silence will slowly chisel away at you until you become unrecognizable and the most vital parts lay as dust particles scattered by the dark, cold winds of muteness. Don’t allow the self-inflicted trauma of silence to compound the suffering you’ve already experienced at the hands of others. Don’t allow silence to only light the path of negativity and taking out your frustrations in unproductive ways.

You’ve used your strength to hide from the things that feel out of your control and that you feel unable to change. Now, it’s time to use your strength to walk in the open. You don’t have to suffer in silence about your hurt, emptiness, fears, shortcomings, mistakes, or anger. You’re allowed to feel anything and everything. You’re allowed to cry and express it however feels natural. You’re safe here.

Even the strongest souls need to feel understood and comforted. It’s called being human, and it’s nothing to be ashamed about.

Reach out to someone. Speak those unspoken words. Share your truths. You owe it to yourself to be kind to yourself and love yourself and allow others to do so, too. In silence, you allow suffering to take the wheel of life and drive it to the depths of hell. Use your voice to take back that wheel and steer yourself forward from what’s hurting you.

Suffering is in inevitable part of life, but it’s up to you where that suffering brings you. Learn from it and let it lead you to personal growth. Helen Keeler said that ease and quiet doesn’t develop your character; strengthening of the soul, ambition, and success are only achievable through the experience of suffering and trails.

Are you someone who prefers to keep their pain hidden from the world or do you know someone who is suffering silently? Pass this article on to everyone you know - it might help someone!