Temptations in Suffering
One
Temptations in Suffering
Suffering is not evil. Evil is evil. Evil is the lack of a good that ought to be there, like justice in an unjust system, health in a disease, or honesty in a betrayal. It’s not just ‘badness’ but a missing good that should rightfully exist. Suffering is the experience of a missing good, felt as pain or sorrow, which alerts us to something being wrong and calls us to respond, whether by seeking healing, correcting injustice, or growing in virtue.
Suffering is not evil itself, but a signal that helps us recognize and confront evil. When united with Christ, suffering becomes a powerful means of love, redemption, and transformation. But when I am suffering it is easy to fall into temptations that can ruin the good God wants me to gain through suffering.
For example, when I am suffering, I am tempted to think that I have done something wrong and I am being punished. While some suffering is a consequence of sin (e.g., if I lie and lose trust the trust of others), not all suffering is a direct punishment for personal wrongdoing. In fact, God allows suffering for our growth in virtue as Paul says in Romans (5:3-5), "Suffering produces endurance, character, and hope because the Holy Spirit is poured into our hearts with power.”
Two
Bad Luck
When we suffer, we can be tempted to think it’s just dumb luck, that we are at the mercy of impersonal chaotic forces. This person gets cancer while another does not. One dies in an accident while another survives. There’s no discernible reason, just blind chance.
This temptation that the world and our lives are ruled by chaos must be resisted with the truth that God is our Father Almighty. He is all-good, all-knowing, and all-powerful. His providence governs all things with wisdom (ST I, q. 22, a.2). Nothing can happen unless God wills it or allows it. Trust that God works all things for good for those who love Him. What we call “chance” is simply the limits of our perspective (SCG III, ch. 74).
While events may seem random to us, they fit into a larger divine plan beyond our understanding. So, when we are tempted to panic or despair, remember, God is your Father, no matter what happens, He is guiding all things for your greatest good. Trust Him.
Three
The Obstacles are too great
Another temptation in suffering is to feel like the obstacles are insurmountable. I just can’t do it. I don’t have the strength. This temptation to give up has to be overcome by the truth that God never expects us to climb the mountain by our strength alone.
St. Therese of Lisieux, Therese of the Child Jesus was made a doctor of the Church, a universal teacher of Christians for one simple reason: her little way, which is this, we are not expected by God to be strong and independent. We are called to become little children.
Who hasn’t experienced a little child looking at you with big eyes and raising its little arms to you, asking to be picked up? Who can resist that? No one. That is the way God the Father wants us to be with Him.
When you have not the strength to go forward, to overcome the obstacles, raise your little arms to God the Father, to Mary our Mother, and say, “I can’t do it. Pick me up and carry me.”
They will carry you over the obstacles!
Four
Suffering is in vain
One of the worst temptations in suffering is to feel that it is useless and we are useless. No good can come from this and I am prevented from doing the good I want.
Suffering is only useless if we do not leverage it, it is useless if we waste it.
After concelebrating Mass with the Holy Father in his private chapel, a priest from Michigan had a brief opportunity to meet the Pope. The priest had a broken leg and stood on crutches as John Paul approached him in the receiving line of guests. He said to the Pope with a twinge of humor and self-pity, “I broke my leg. Can I please have your blessing?” John Paul replied, “Don’t waste your suffering.” The Holy Father raised his hand, blessed the priest, and then with an open palm, thumped the priest on the head. We too often waste our sufferings. Don’t waste them because our suffering can help others
St. Paul in Colossians 1:24 said, “I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake. And in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church.”
What could be lacking in the suffering of Jesus? Our participation! Jesus is inviting us to help him save our loved ones and friends by prayer and sacrifice. What you did not choose, do not like, and cannot change, accept with trust and offer up with love to Jesus for the conversion and holiness of others.
Five
Bewilderment
When we are in the dark night of suffering and loss one of the strongest temptations is that of bewilderment. Have you ever felt utterly and completely bewildered? I have and I don’t like it. When we are bewildered we don’t have any idea what is going on, or why this is happening and we see absolutely no way of fixing it. It can be terrible. When we feel bewildered, when we cannot see or understand, that is when we must rely on faith.
Faith is to trust that God sees, He knows exactly what is going on, and the only reason He is allowing it is for our greater God. That greater good is this: God wants to flood our souls with His divine life so that God can heal and strengthen and perfect us to become like Him. He wants to make his children divine like himself. That is what God is doing in our suffering.
St. John of the Cross, the greatest teacher on spirituality and suffering is adamant that when we are suffering and bewildered, when everything is dark, that is precisely when the divine life of God is flowing into your soul like a torrent. Our job is to be receptive, to accept what is going on knowing His life is flowing in. Don’t resist, trust that if you are suffering, the divine life of God is flowing in.
Suggested Resolutions:
Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you.
This week, try to minimize your complaints and remember to offer up what you did not choose, do not like, or cannot change.
Unite your suffering throughout the week to the suffering of Christ.
Remember that suffering isn’t the consequence of random chance, but all part of God’s Divine Providence.