Pleasure and Pain

From Ravi Zacharias-

Although I agree that the problem of pain may be one of the greatest challenges to faith in God, I dare suggest that it is the problem of pleasure that more often drives us to think of spiritual things. Sexuality, greed, fame, and momentary thrills are actually thee most precarious attractions in the world. Pain forces us to accept our finitude. It can breed cynicism, weariness, and fatigue in just living. Pain sends us in search of a greater power. Introspection, superstition, ceremony, and vows can all come as a result of pain. But disappointment in pleasure is a completely different thing. While pain can often be seen as a means to a greater end, pleasure is seen as an end in itself. And when pleasure has run its course, a sense of despondency can creep into one's soul that may often lead to self-destruction. Pain can often be temporary; but disappointment in pleasure gives rise to emptiness...not just for a moment, but for life. There can be no reason to life, no preconfigured purpose, if even pleasure brings no lasting fulfillment.

People in pain may look for comfort and explanations. People disappointed in pleasure look for purpose.

This makes sense although I don't think that people in pain exclusively look for comfort and explanations. I believe they also look for meaning, purpose, how to relate to themselves, God, and others, and can struggle with hope. What he says about pleasure and disappointment in reaching the "ultimate" pleasure trip and finding it was not what it was cracked up to be would lead to a crisis of meaning and/or purpose. If all you are living for is to satisfy yourself with pleasure but that very pleasure you try to attain lacks the promised "high" or satisfaction your whole direction and drive would come into question. So then one might be inclined to ask the question: "If the pursuit of pleasure can ultimately leave you dissatisfied, disappointed, and disillusioned with life and purpose, what is a noble and worthy pursuit?"