I followed a link from a comment on my Flickr account this weekend to a lovely blog which linked to a sermon on  suffering given by Josh Harris.  The topic was Fiery Trials and addressed the big and little tribulations that inevitably enter our lives – the kinds, the reasons why, and our responses.  He so beautifully said that God loves us too much to leave us in the lie that this world is our paradise.  Trials are often the only things that break our hold on the things that do not last.  

He points out that while most people tend to assume that most of the time things will go along smoothly punctuated by the occasional rough patch, in reality struggle is the way of this life.  Therefore we are not to be surprised or worse, resentful. The only way to heaven is by a cross, although we  choose how we carry it.  He encourages us to do so graciously and with joy because those trials are actually an invitation to share in the suffering of Christ. 

He also addresses a rarely discussed issue.  We are not to lump all our troubles together.  Too many Christians are quick to play the persecution card and too easily assume an unwarranted martyrdom. While we do face bigotry, rejection, and ridicule for our walk with God, often we are simply suffering the consequences of our own behavior.  It may be the result of obvious sin such as murder or theft.  It may be more subtle sin such as the 'meddling' the passage mentions. We are not to rejoice over that, nor write off all negative feedback from others.  If we do, we are missing valuable lessons and the opportunity to humble ourselves and grow.  

It happened that I had a read a similar exhortation by Fr Lovasik that same day. He writes:

"To be sensitive is good, but to let oneself grow overly sensitive leads to unhappiness…. Some by nature appear well armored against the disappointments of life.  But there are others who by nature are highly sensitive and are inclined to be introspective and melancholic. It is very easy for them to recognize slights, even sometimes where they do not exist. They are inclined to brood over these real or imagined slights with the result that they make themselves and those around them miserable."

Being very thin-skinned myself, I know whereof he speaks, and husband and I discussed this very thing recently.  Taken together these talks go a long way towards helping us put suffering into perspective. 

Our Lady's Church, Trier