There is so much wasted suffering in the world today. So often we desperately pray that God will deliver us or a loved one from pain and suffering without also praising Him for the gift of being able to share in the Cross and asking for the strength to persevere in the midst of affliction. Not only can accepting suffering spiritually benefit the suffering individual, but there is, or can be, an apostolic element to suffering as well.
The following note from the family of a 5 year old battling cancer was in my church’s bulletin this week:
In the wee hours of Nathaniel’s birthday, he awoke in agony. He was writhing in pain from about 1:30 onward. We begged him to take medicine: morphine, zophran, antacids, etc, but he utterly refused. When we pressed him to do it at one point, he raised his head after violently throwing up and said, ‘If I had medicine then I couldn’t give my pain to Jesus!’ Why does he want to give it all to Jesus? ‘Because,’ he said, ‘then Jesus turns it into grace and gives it to people who need it.’ Goodness, he humbles me! Though he was up all night, he didn’t let that dampen his spirit in celebrating the day of his birth. He enjoyed every moment of the day, opening piles of mail, playing with his toys, sister, & even a friend from the hospital!”
Uhh…WOW! Now, I’m not implying that we should all be in the habit of refusing to ease pain when it is possible, but this kid gets it – and so young! What did Christ say? I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. (Mt.11:25, Lk. 10:21)
Related:
The Apostolate of Suffering
How Do You Respond to the Cross?
Refusing to Suffer is Refusing to Live