How do we suffer?

[bscastro]

I think I kind of understand the concept, but I was hoping for some clarification on what we can do to “suffer for Jesus” or to “offering up our suffering”?

Does it mean any type of suffering? For example, fasting for spiritual reasons may be a form of suffering, but can housework be suffering that can be offered up (assuming you don’t enjoy housework)?

Does it involve self-denial of pleasure in a general sense? I guess I’m looking for all that this can mean, because if suffering will help bring me closer to Jesus, then I want to make sure I’m “doing it right” and (I can’t believe I’m writing this considering where I’ve come from spiritually) I want to suffer more if it will help bring me closer to Jesus.

So help me understand! Any help would be appreciated.

God bless,
Bryan

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

I think I kind of understand the concept, but I was hoping for some clarification on what we can do to “suffer for Jesus” or to “offering up our suffering”?

Does it mean any type of suffering? For example, fasting for spiritual reasons may be a form of suffering, but can housework be suffering that can be offered up (assuming you don’t enjoy housework)?

Does it involve self-denial of pleasure in a general sense? I guess I’m looking for all that this can mean, because if suffering will help bring me closer to Jesus, then I want to make sure I’m “doing it right” and (I can’t believe I’m writing this considering where I’ve come from spiritually) I want to suffer more if it will help bring me closer to Jesus.

So help me understand! Any help would be appreciated.

God bless,
Bryan

A french philosopher said that God is the God of silence…
Jesus Christ accepted the cross but did not give any explanation…

 

[Hecares]

i say a morning offering first thing each morning, offering everything to God. Our thoughts, our words and our actions can all be offered as prayer. Any time you do something you don’t like to do, that can be a penance, a suffering if you will; but I think the important thing is to offer everything to God. That would include our suffering.

 

[AlanFromWichita]

It isn’t suffering if I don’t judge it to be. I have “suffered” in the past and it has turned to Gold, based on what I’d learned of what new avenues it opened up. Now when I am in difficult cases I thank the Lord.

I “offer up” both my suffering and my joy and everything, because I believe this is why we exist: to offer God our inique, individual, expression of what it’s like to experience the world made from His Word. It’s like there’s this big cosmic Christ floating around and we are just like walking and talking terminals on it. I let God in on everything I’m doing by saying something like, “Lord, thank you again and again for all of this. I am listening for Your Voice to guide me into using these gifts as You wish.”

Alan