Explore offering up pain and suffering to God, embracing sacrifice in spiritual life. Surrender grief to God, trust Him, bear your cross, connect suffering with Christ's sacrifice for others.
Praying for relief from suffering is valid, but embracing pain can lead to spiritual growth.
Uniting our suffering with Christ's can contribute to redemption and align us with God's will.
Deep dives
Embracing Suffering Through Trust and Unity with Christ
When overwhelmed by pain, grief, or suffering, it's natural to pray for relief. Jesus himself prayed to be spared from suffering, showing that it's not wrong to seek alleviation. However, just as God didn't remove Jesus' cup of suffering, we may also face situations where our pain persists. In these moments, like Jesus, we are called to trust God and unite our suffering with Christ, understanding that through our afflictions, we can participate in Christ's redemptive work.
Finding Meaning in Suffering and Offering It Up
Suffering, when united with Christ, holds profound significance and transformative power. As Christians, being part of Christ's body means sharing in His glory and His cross. By offering our pain and grief to the Father, we join in Christ's saving mission, contributing to the redemption of the world. The act of 'offering it up' simplifies this process, allowing us to entrust our suffering to God and ask for its purpose in alignment with His will.
Momma always said, "Son, you don't like something? Well, offer it up!"
Today, Fr. Mike explores the traditional understanding of offering up your pain, embracing your suffering, and making sacrifices in the spiritual life.