Why We Should Embrace Suffering

Bonnie Drury explores the difficulty of living out the suffering Jesus told us we would endure.

No one wants to suffer. I admit that I can be a big baby sometimes when it comes to pain. Yet, Jesus taught that suffering is a part of life and a way to share in His glory. Jesus said that His followers would be blessed, comforted, and rewarded when they endured suffering for His sake. “For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Jesus did not spare His own Mother nor His Apostles when it came to suffering. When Saul converted and became Saint Paul, Jesus said, “And I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name” (Acts 9:16). There were consequences for his previous persecution of Christians.

The Church teaches that if we offer up our suffering, it unites with the Cross for the benefit of all. Jesus hung on the Cross for six hours, enduring unimaginable pain. He not only suffered physically, but emotionally and spiritually. He suffered emotionally because His Apostles abandoned him and Peter denied Him, and spiritually because of all the souls that would be lost in spite of his sacrifice. As horrifying as the Crucifixion was, every good came from it for those who believe.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Christian author Tammy Kennington writes,

The Greek word for cross in this verse is staurós. It refers to the crossbeam which the lowest criminals carried as they trudged toward their execution. The cross symbolized degradation and indescribable pain as well as sacrifice. (BibleStudyTools.com)

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Prayer is Powerful

When we’re in pain and remember to offer it up, we know that we are acting within God’s plan for the salvation of others. It won’t be easy to embrace suffering, but several prayers help.

The Surrender Novena, as given to Father Dolindo Ruotolo by Jesus himself, is a healing way to trust God in the midst of suffering. “O Jesus, I surrender myself to you; take care of everything.” My sister recently had to undergo a risky medical procedure and was filled with anxiety. I sent her the Surrender prayer, and she said it over and over until she felt the calm that Jesus provides.

The Seven Sorrows of Mary show us that even the closest human to Our Lord had to suffer. There are beautiful promises attached to this prayer. It can be prayed as a daily devotion or as a novena.

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a powerful prayer for the whole world. I like to say this Chaplet when I’m in Adoration. “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” This prayer is a way to do our part for this troubled planet.

Promises from Scripture

There are many promises in Scripture about the reason for and relief from suffering.

Romans 8:18 says: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.”

James 1:2-3 teaches: “Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Revelation 21:4 says: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away.”

The Church teaches that we will suffer the consequences of our sins, even after they are forgiven, here on earth or in purgatory. We may be paying off our debt by suffering now. God can use our suffering to strengthen our faith so that we enjoy our reward that much more.

It will take practice and prayer to embrace suffering. I know I can do better. I just need to trust. “O Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything.”

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