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The Beauty of Suffering

None of us like suffering, including myself. The very thought of suffering scares me because I have an extremely low threshold of pain!

But whether I like it or not, suffering is inevitable in life - the fact that I am a Christian doesn't exclude me from suffering (Matthew 16:24); Christianity doesn't eradicate suffering but imbues it with meaning, making it a beautiful experience (Romans 5:3, 1 Peter 4:13).

One excellent example depicting the beauty of suffering is the life of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. Not only did she endure intense physical suffering in the form of illnesses and the stigmata, she also suffered emotionally from the misunderstandings of her fellow nuns. More unthinkably, she even requested to take on the sufferings of others to aid them! What love & heroism!

At this moment, I seriously doubt I could ever love suffering the way Blessed Emmerich did (judging from my embarrassing response to a common fever, splinter in my finger and fish bone in my throat) but I hope that with God's grace, one day, I would be able to experience, behold and appreciate the beauty of suffering...
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Anonymous said…
I totally agree with the statement, "Christianity doesn't eradicate suffering but imbues it with meaning, making it a beautiful experience." Suffering (whether it is physical or emotional) makes us realise what God's love and true love is all about. It also serves as a reminder not to take many things in our life for granted.
10:39 PM
Anonymous said…
I totally agree with the statement, "Christianity doesn't eradicate suffering but imbues it with meaning, making it a beautiful experience." Suffering (whether it is physical or emotional) makes us realise what God's love and true love is all about. It also serves as a reminder not to take many things in our life for granted.
10:40 PM
Anonymous said…
Very true.

God doesn't carry your cross for you. But will slowly give you strength to carry it yourself.

There is no growth without suffering.

But of course, suffering is never easy. That's why apart from His convenant, God also plants special people in our lives, to make this path easier to walk.
11:03 AM
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