Suffering is one of the things that the world despises. Being away from our comfort zone, waiting, and enduring are difficult situations to be placed into. But it is in these painful encounters that our hearts are purified and led closer to God.
Suffering is even where love is experienced and nourished. Our day-to-day grind to do our responsibilities—studies, work, family, service—are constant opportunities to encounter a life that gives meaning to suffering. God sees every effort, emotion, patient act, kindness, and even pain. Every time we experience a heartbreaking moment, we are meant to turn towards God for He is the only one who can satisfy our longings and sustain our failing hearts. God is the only one who gives meaning to every suffering.
There are moments when I honestly find it hard to understand why I have to go through different sufferings. I struggle to see where this pain is going. But every time I ask God, He comforts me with the love that He has endured on the Cross. He leads me to His wounds to see how He has given His own life for me. He makes me feel how it hurts to love so I will be able to realize how much He loves me. And my dear brothers and sisters, He loves you too. He suffered for me and you.
It is not easy to endure, wait, and feel pain, but God is calling us to embrace every suffering. He wants us to surrender to the redemptive call of suffering. I remember what one of our sisters here in the community said. She shared in one of our Households, “We cannot brag about our sufferings.” Her words made me ponder, then I realized something. Even in our sufferings, it is God who owns the victory and praise. It is all about God, yet He allows us to be instruments of this beautiful and holy encounter. Suffering is a gift to work with God and love God. Suffering reminds us that we are loved. We are His missionaries, so He knows how to humble us when we take pride in His works. He also knows how to love us when we feel disheartened. There are humble ways and right moments to share our sufferings with others. I praise and thank God for the gift of Household and spiritual accompaniment, for these help us journey with each other during our painful and difficult times.
As the suffering increases, God’s consolations become sweeter in our hearts. I pray for a heart that hopes, endures, trusts, waits, loves, and suffers well for the Lord. I am praying for my heart and yours.
Lord, may these pain, tears, and sufferings serve their true purpose—to glorify Your Name.
That You are with me in my suffering…Jesus, I trust in You.
About the Author
Ate Azenette Samson is our Mission Volunteer from the Area of Tacloban. She is assigned in Eastern Visayas and MFC HIGH Visayas. She has been part of the community for 5 years now. She loves eating bread and watching sunsets. She also likes to listen to good music and other people’s thoughts.
