A Sincere Love of Suffering

Beads of Joy 08-27-10

A Sincere Love of Suffering
©2010 James Dacey, Jr. SFO

Love of Suffering II
Hello Everyone,

This has been a truly dynamic week indeed. We have spoke about suffering in a little bit of a different light then it usually gets credit for. We spoke of Jesus ruling in our hearts; no expectation in return for our love; the dynamic exciting truth about our souls awakening, and plunging into the depth of our suffering straight to God's love. Today I'd like to really try and help us think more spiritually about our own sufferings. Our Lord does not want us to suffer, He does not seek to hold the iron to our skin and then only pull away once we scream. Our Lord is by means a God who torch's those who love Him, or anyone else for that matter. God wants our love no doubt about that, He loved us before we were even born, so His love for us is based on just that, His love for us. He has no prejudgment as to who we are and if He will love us. We are loved by God unconditionally, in turn we should love Him. Here is a very encouraging scripture, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12.

Let's think about this for a moment. When we suffer, exactly what it is usually we are suffering from? Ok, some of us suffer from physical aliments, body aches that don't cease, maybe even a disease that literally rips us apart, eating away at our body. Then we also have emotional suffering, maybe in a relationship, or the way we are treated in general by loved ones or spouses, or even children. Our suffering is pretty in-depth when you begin to look at all the ways we can suffer in this life. I know I am still probably over looking a couple other ways we suffer here. Well the bottom line is all these aliments do have one thing in common, they are of this world. They have nothing to do with spending eternity in Heaven with Jesus. In fact if we are really fully focused on Jesus in our life; these sufferings draw us in closer to Him and if we don't have any faith at all, sometimes we are brought to His feet for the fist time. That thought alone is the reason why we must embrace our sufferings. It is through our sufferings that we seek God even more in this life.

Now, please don't misunderstand this reflection. I am not saying to seek out suffering or poverty or risk it all and lose it. But what I am saying is, when or if you are faced with these unexpected crisis, embrace them as blessings that draw you even closer to our Lord. Think about this, have you ever said to someone, maybe a spouse or your child, "I'd willingly die for you to save you." I know I have said this many times through the years, and I really mean it. Let's face it, the love we have for one another is very similar to one Jesus has for us. Even though we are not tormented or beat, or put up on a cross, we still desire that, if we can save someone we love. See, that's so similar to the love God has for us to save us. Let us again reflect upon some fascinating scripture, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. In this life we are here for many reasons, but mostly to love, honor and serve our Lord. We are His, we were bought for a price. Let us embrace our own sufferings and offer all the pain to Him, who strengthens me.

So lets continue to embrace suffering and pain, all in the name of Jesus. Let us also plant as many seeds of Joy, that we can when we speak of Jesus and share Him with anybody. But let us keep in mind, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21. I love that scripture. The "die" is referring to ourselves and our own selfishness. When we cry and complain about our own sufferings we are selfish. Yes I guess we deserve the rightly to complain about them, but when we do it is selfishness. We must die to that part of ourselves that seeks out pity and self focus and give all our pains, and all our long suffering to Jesus. We only get one chance in this life to make things right with God, let's not screw it up. Let's do our best to never allow anything in this life to step between us and God. Nothing. I fall constantly, but try when you are suffering to not complain about it, but rather thank God for it.

In the end, it's the Lord for sure
And suffering will come, we must endure,
In the pain and trials we share
We must put other first, for them to care,
So as we finish this day a new
Just tell tell the Lord, "Jesus, I trust in You."


Your brother in Christ Jesus & His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr SFO