Great question!

I had to give this one some thought. I have encountered and watched some inspiring people. I have to say the one that stands out right now is my therapist, J. Maybe a month ago, a fellow church member was diagnosed with a very painful nerve/brain condition that has no cure and not a lot of treatment beyond pain killers. I was trying to explain it to J and she said conversationally, "yeah, I have that." Then, she returned the conversation to me.
Suddenly some things made sense like that I had noticed her wincing. From what I understand from my church friend. The condition is agonizing, will never go away, and can worsen at any time.
So, all this past year every time she winced she was experiencing severe pain. Wait. Who wants to listen to someone else talk about their problems when she is suffering? The last thing I want to do when I am hurting mentally or physically is listen to someone else and help them sort out their problems.
But she does. One of her main areas of interest in counseling is chronic pain sufferers.
I can't imagine. But it gives me hope. That helping others climb out of despair might help alleviate my pain. That there is hope and normalcy despite a rotten diagnosis and sometimes painful life.