Quote for the Day: In Sickness and in Health

[Shin]

'Retire into yourself and reflect; do not curse that pain which makes you so despondent, for it is the plough which the diligent husbandman employs to work the ground of your souls before sowing the seeds. Say to yourselves that, later on, the angels will lay by for you in the granaries of heaven the harvest they would never have reaped, if the plough-share of suffering had not torn your poor soil! The supplications of the sick are the most agreeable to God.'

St. Lydwine of Schiedam

[Shin]

One thing I think about is that Christians do not use foul language -- What is our reaction to a sudden pain, and sudden accident? Or a prolonged illness?

Do we curse it, or do we embrace it? I think that if we can do the latter, so much of the suffering is gone that is there with the former.

And if we think of the treasure in Heaven.. we want to embrace it, even before it arrives.

But, I think also, we become weak because of lack of faith in the treasure in the next life. Because the stronger our faith is in this, the more permanent and lasting our conviction that we truly are rewarded in ways that are beyond measure for our sufferings in this life.. the more we are capable of living for it.

So.. I think praying for this faith.. this conviction.. this gratitude for suffering.. is very important..

So much of giving up sin is suffering at first.. penance is suffering.. voluntary embrace of suffering.. is suffering..

And it is all good suffering. That we can take with us to Heaven in its true value in the eyes of God.

[martin]

Offering up suffering is a hard one for me but I've learnt whether I offer it up or not isn't gonna take away the fact that suffering will always be a part of this life. I try now to offer it up or at least bear it with resignation and pray that God can use it to save my soul or someone elses.
Don't get me wrong. This is not me being brave. .It's just me trying to be reasonable about the thing. 

[Brigid]

Seems to me that offering up the suffering needs to come after facing it and going thru it. What do you think? Maybe it comes before instead?

[martin]

Seems to me that offering up the suffering needs to come after facing it and going thru it. What do you think? Maybe it comes before instead?

Hmm... I'm not too sure..... I always think that we can't give what we dion't have. In other words if we wait till the trial is over and then offer it, at that point we don't have it to offer. During it would seem to me to be the best option as it's real at that time and God can give us real help to bear it through our offering.
A bit like living in the Now.
Though asking me about fortitude during suffering is like inquiring of an Eskimoo concerning the Sahara Desert.   

[Brigid]

Seems to me that offering up the suffering needs to come after facing it and going thru it. What do you think? Maybe it comes before instead?

Hmm... I'm not too sure..... I always think that we can't give what we dion't have. In other words if we wait till the trial is over and then offer it, at that point we don't have it to offer. During it would seem to me to be the best option as it's real at that time and God can give us real help to bear it through our offering.
A bit like living in the Now.
Though asking me about fortitude during suffering is like inquiring of an Eskimoo concerning the Sahara Desert.   

Yes, however until we face that we are suffering, we can't offer it up either. Maybe emotional suffering is somewhat different than physical suffering, too, as far as offering it up.

[Bailey2]

Depends how you define "offer up."  I  offer up my why's, my anger, my frustration, my pain, my sorrow, and my resignation, and then my peace.  I figure if Jesus had all these emotions than so can I and all of it is just as good an offering as anything else.  So I don't think one has to work through and come to peace before offering to God our imperfect selves. 

[Brigid]

Depends how you define "offer up."  I  offer up my why's, my anger, my frustration, my pain, my sorrow, and my resignation, and then my peace.  I figure if Jesus had all these emotions than so can I and all of it is just as good an offering as anything else.  So I don't think one has to work through and come to peace before offering to God our imperfect selves. 

I was hoping you'd come by, Bailey, and you have given more of your wisdom. Thanks.

[Shin]

Seems to me that offering up the suffering needs to come after facing it and going thru it. What do you think? Maybe it comes before instead?

Hmm... I'm not too sure..... I always think that we can't give what we dion't have. In other words if we wait till the trial is over and then offer it, at that point we don't have it to offer. During it would seem to me to be the best option as it's real at that time and God can give us real help to bear it through our offering.
A bit like living in the Now.
Though asking me about fortitude during suffering is like inquiring of an Eskimoo concerning the Sahara Desert.   

LOL. That's a good one!

I feel the same way!

Hmm.. Very thought provoking comments here.. I wonder if I will find a quote sometime to clarify further..