SUFFERING IS MEANT TO BENEFIT
US
We live in a vale of tears where
we are constantly oppressed with poverty, in danger of losing our
reputation, our lives sapped by diseases, or faced with losing our loved
ones anytime. The trouble of the world greatly weighs us down. But amidst
all these, we can still find inner peace if only we can learn how to suffer
from Christ.
First and foremost, we must know
why God allows suffering. Definitely, not out of hatred; "My children,
do not fall away from your adherence to the Lord because he has corrected
you, for this correction is a sign that He loves you."
It is not when all is well that
we rejoice. We rejoice in the cross, i.e., when everything is against us.
Suffering reminds us to remain humble and grateful to God.
Do you really believe that you
can live a life of enjoyable luxury and abundance and still go to heaven?
The lives of the saints, God's favorites, are replete with sufferings. .
.and these are only the ones man can see. You cannot imagine the suffering
they underwent which we know nothing about.
When in the midst of suffering,
we should think like Job: "I know in the appointed day I shall be
resurrected and once again I shall be whole and in my flesh I shall
see God."
If we see someone committing a
great sin and seems not to be afflicted by illness or misfortune, you can be
sure that God has abandoned him due to the magnitude of his sins.
Good people welcome suffering;
sinners should all the more welcome suffering because it is an invitation to
be cleansed. Do not ignore the message that comes with suffering for
sufferings are meant to veer you away from sin and lead you to virtue.
St. Basil the Great
(09-11-02)
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