The Mystery of Suffering
1 Peter 5:10
“The righteous person knows that God allows him to suffer so, in order that he may learn to love God for God’s own sake.”
—MEDITATING ON THE WORD
We do not always understand the purpose of our difficulties and suffering. And usually in the heat of the moment we find it difficult to make sense of what is happening to us. We are blessed if, sometimes in hindsight, we can look back with understanding and see the purpose of those hardships. Sometimes, however, we are not given an understanding of their meaning and are called to link ourselves with the crucified Jesus who cried, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Meditation
Suffering is not wasted if it is not understood. It is only wasted if it hardens our heart toward the grace and love of God.
What is your prayer thought for today’s lesson?