God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.
--Saint Augustine of Hippo
Dear brothers and sisters, I pray God may open your eyes and let you see what hidden treasures he bestows on us in the trials from which the world thinks only to flee. Shame turns into honor when we seek God's glory. Present affliction become the source of heavenly glory. To those who suffer wounds in fighting his battles God opens his arms in loving, tender friendship. That is why he (Christ) tells us that if we want to join him, we shall travel the way he took. It is surely not right that the Son of God should go his way on the path of shame while the sons of men walk the way of worldly honor: "The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant greater than his master."
--from a letter by Saint John of Avila
If God gives you an abundant harvest of trials, it is a sign of great holiness which He desires you to attain. Do you want to become a great saint? Ask God to send you many sufferings. The flame of Divine Love never rises higher than when fed with the wood of the Cross, which the infinite charity of the Savior used to finish His sacrifice. All the pleasures of the world are nothing compared with the sweetness found in the gall and vinegar offered to Jesus Christ. That is, hard and painful things endured for Jesus Christ and with Jesus Christ.
--Saint Ignatius of Loyola
These quotes are for the many friends I see walking with heavy crosses lately. My heart hurts for you, but I know you unite it to Christ's suffering.
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4 comments:
In Beth Moore's study on Paul, she discussed hardships. She said:
How could strength result from a message about inevitable hardships? Recognizing the inevitable nature of hardships can motivate us to redirect our energies. Fear of trials sometimes depletes more energy than facing trials! Help comes to us in times of trouble, not before, when we're letting fear and dread overcome us. Once we accept the inevitability of hardship, we can redirect our focus from fear of trials to faithfulness. In the face of tribulations, we often sense a heavenly strength filling our souls right on time.
How could encouragement result from a message about inevitable hardship? Realizing the inevitability of hardships encourages us in the faith rather than discourages us. A dangerous prosperity gospel fills our Christian airwaves today. Many believe that if you have enough faith, you'll be both healthy and wealthy! Many preachers and teachers are telling anyone who will listen that hardship is never the will of God.
My relatives have a name for that...hogwash. We will never be so spiritual that we will cease experiencing hardships.
I Peter 1:7 says: These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Hardship sometimes comes as a direct result of sin and disobedience. We usually are aware when consequences of sin have caused us deep suffering, but many other times trials have nothing to do with disobedience. Believing a heretical prosperity gospel can leave us terribly discouraged wondering what we have done wrong. We wonder why we can't seem to muster enough faith to be healthy, problem free, and prosperous. Unbelievers also suffer many hardships. The difference is this: ours are never in vain.
One other line I really want to add is from Oswald Chambers.
"If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him."
Mrs. Tucker,
Well said. My mother is constantly reminding me that trials will strengthen our faith if we let them. God does not promise us happiness without any hardships but I think that is what people today are looking for. Thus, the grass always looks greener on the other side and they are looking for happiness in the wrong place. I am convinced that the world's inability to be content & satisfied & the constant search for happiness has contributed to the high rate of divorce in our society.
Thankfully those of us who are believers can look forward to Heaven where these trials & hardships will be no longer.
Stephanie
Mrs. Tucker,
Well said. My mother is constantly reminding me that trials will strengthen our faith if we let them. God does not promise us happiness without any hardships but I think that is what people today are looking for. Thus, the grass always looks greener on the other side and they are looking for happiness in the wrong place. I am convinced that the world's inability to be content & satisfied & the constant search for happiness has contributed to the high rate of divorce in our society.
Thankfully those of us who are believers can look forward to Heaven where these trials & hardships will be no longer.
Stephanie
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