Why Is Someone Else’s Pain Karma and Our Own Pain a Test?

Rajeev Verma

It is said that time changes, situations change, and people change too. But the era we are living in today is often called Kalyug — a time where sensitivity has weakened, and human thinking has become trapped in selfishness and comparison.

The biggest irony of this time is that people consider others’ suffering as punishment for their deeds, but when the same suffering enters their own life, they call it a test from God. This mindset not only weakens relationships but also damages humanity.

Why Do We Mock Someone Else’s Pain?

Very few people are capable of understanding or feeling the pain of others. Most people immediately say:

“This is happening because of their past actions.”

Judging is easy, but understanding and showing compassion is difficult.

When someone faces financial struggles, emotional pain, broken relationships, or illness, instead of support, people begin to blame, criticize, or gossip. Finding faults is easy, but offering help or empathy requires maturity.

Why Is Our Own Pain Considered a Test?

When the same people go through the same kind of pain, suddenly their perspective changes. Then they say:

“God is testing me.”

Because for ourselves, we always find reasons, excuses, and emotional justification. We soften our judgment when it comes to our own struggles, but rarely do we use the same kindness when dealing with others.

What Is True Humanity?

Humanity means seeing others the same way we see ourselves. If we remember that every person is fighting a silent battle, every heart carries untold stories, then we would never mock someone’s suffering. Instead, we would offer support — or at least empathy.

Where Does Change Begin?

Change doesn’t start with society — it starts with you.

Instead of judging, try to understand.

Instead of laughing at someone’s failure, try to learn from it.

Instead of calling someone’s pain a result of their karma, show humanity.

Most importantly, think for others the way you think for yourself.

Concluding, Yes, the times have changed — but hope still exists. If we can bring a little compassion, empathy, and understanding into our thoughts and actions, the world can still become the kind of place it was meant to be.

Because in the end, there is no real difference between punishment and test — the only difference lies in perspective and attitude.