Yes, this sounds CRAZY! But the thing is, suffering and joy can go hand in hand…
The cup of milk tips over and splashes all over the floor! Mess. Frustration. The toddler reaches into the crayons and begins colouring on the couch. More mess. You have a headache from your poor night’s sleep. Your 4 year old is asking you a million questions at once. The kids are all around you in the kitchen…
Most of us may be on the verge of losing it, because who wouldn’t be? Moments like these can be very trying. These little trials will always come our way as they are a part of everyday life. It is in these very moments however that we can practice so many great virtues. We can learn to strengthen our will power, build temperance and patience and be well on the path to becoming a saint!
Suffering can be meaningful. Suffering can be met with joy. Suffering strengthens us.
Suffering Can Be Meaningful
There is so much meaning to be found in suffering. When we suffer we are sharing the cross with Our Lord. He has chosen us, and given us that particular difficulty as He knows only we will be capable of handling it.
Often, I look at other mothers and think ‘I could never be in that situation dealing with what they are going though.’ And rightfully so! Our Lord has given us graces proportionate to what we have to handle in our specific situations. If we are going through a particularly difficult time, then we will be showered with all the more graces.
Offering up your suffering is such a powerful form of prayer as we are choosing to embrace the cross joyfully. To try each day to turn those negative situations around and pray for our family, friends, the souls in purgatory, the Holy Father etc. There is so much out there to pray for!
Here is a GREAT attitude you can practice. If God gives you any form of suffering, to thank him! A particularly difficult child, a sickness, financial difficulties or whatever it may be, to just keep thanking Him. When we stop focusing on ourselves, and on our own problems, we become very happy and will find ourselves becoming more self-giving.
Suffering Can Be Met with Joy
The only suffering, is the suffering we choose to bring upon ourselves. It is our choice to be unhappy, to stay irritated, and to give in to our moods. I am not in any way saying that suffering, both mental and physical is easy to bear. Some of us are given small crosses and others much bigger. Through all of it thought, we can still be filled with so much peace if we learn to love the cross that Our Lord wants to share with us.
With time, we can learn to offer up the smallest of crosses and soon we will see how every bit of suffering can be met with immense joy. We are exhausted, but we can still smile. We are irritated but we hide it silently to keep peace in the home. God LOVES a cheerful giver and he will reward us ever so generously.
Suffering Strengthens Us
Have you tried to live through one day without complaining, even about the smallest thing? I woke in the morning and promised myself I would not complain. By 7.10am, my daughter started shouting from her cot… least to say I wasn’t very successful!
What great strength it takes to keep persevering in those little things which we find a struggle. To practice fortitude in being a cheerful mother and smiling when we do not feel like it. To fight against moments of difficulty to create an atmosphere of serenity and peace in our homes.
Let us focus on the bigger picture each day, trying not to pay too much importance to those things that may annoy us. We should only have one goal, to get to heaven and bring many souls along with us!
We can serve with great joy and happiness through any trials we may be given, remembering that nothing and no one can rob you of your peace. Mother Theresa said “the important thing, is not to waste suffering. Join it to the suffering of Christ; offer it up with his suffering…” and how happy we shall be!
Originally posted 2015-04-21 11:44:51.
My mum loved reading this so thanks Jill!