[firetried41]

Jesus has many who love His Kingdom in Heaven, but few who bear His Cross (Luke 14:27). He has many who desire comfort, but few who desire suffering. He finds many to share His feast, but few His fasting. All desire to rejoice with Him, but few are willing to suffer for His sake. Many follow Jesus to the Breaking of Bread, but few to the drinking of the Cup of His Passion. Many admire His miracles, but few follow Him in the humiliation of His Cross. Many love Jesus as long as no hardship touches them. Many praise and bless Him, as long as they are receiving any comfort from Him. But if Jesus withdraw Himself, they fall to complaining and utter dejection.

They who love Jesus for His own sake, and not for the sake of comfort for themselves, bless Him in every trial and anguish of heart, no less than in the greatest joy. And were He never willing to bestow comfort on them, they would still always praise Him and give Him thanks.

Thomas A Kiempis: Imitation of Christ

[mpdela]

Firetried41,

This is so true. When we feel pain, it tends to produce anger, which we may direct inwardly or outwardly, and including directing it straight at God. We can go on for years with our anger that comes from feeling impotent when faced with a situation that produces pain, and we may direct it all over the place, especially at God, but does it really change our reality in any way? Does this mean that because we can’t change our reality at the present moment, we can’t find peace with ourselves, others, and with God? Or can we? Are we doomed to be in an angry state, or do we have some control? That's where the gift of Free Will comes into play. If we stay angry, we have chosen to do so, if we find peace, that is a personal decision as well.

One beautiful thing about Jesus’ teachings is that he showed us BY HIS EXAMPLE how to suffer through things we cannot change and to WILLFULLY DECIDE TO SUFFER IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for the sake of good.

That is not to say to look for ways to intentionally inflict suffering upon ourselves. But rather, we are always called to use our gifts and develop our talents to make this a better world for ourselves and others, even in the midst of great physical and/or emotional pain, and this is often an extremely difficult thing to do. We are instruments of God – his tools to do his work. If we choose to just sit around and be angry, who will do his work?

I have found that when I decide to get off the ‘angry horse’ and turn to God, He is always there to instantly extend his loving forgiveness and peace, and I feel it so intensely in the most inner core of my being.

It is at the very precious moment of my encounter with God that my tears of comfort and peace ceaselessly flow from my innermost being for hours. It feels like my soul joins me in this tremendous release as I step into freedom from the chains that bound me when I was in total anger. What joy to be reunited with a God of LOVE!

María

[manny_calavera]

This reminds me. My relationship with God requires a lot of working on ...

[mpdela]

Manny, I wish you the best in this self-exploratory effort. We have so many opportunities to control what is inside us, even when we have none to control the world around us.

Wishing you all the best, and most of all, peace.

María