Sin and Redemptive Suffering

[DAML72]

I’ve been wondering - can the temptation to a particular sin constitute a cross to bear such that it could be offered up as redemptive suffering?

To give an example of what I mean - let’s say someone fell in love many years ago but, due to distance and many factors, the relationship could not last. The people in the relationship moved on to form other relationships, but still continue to feel love and/or longing to see the other person despite one or both being married. Perhaps there is lust, perhaps not, but the individuals struggle with envy and other sinful thoughts, endeavoring not to succumb to them.

Can that struggle be offered up for the salvation of others? Can a heartbreak be offered up, even if the object of your heartbreak is married? Or is allowing oneself to feel the heartbreak a sin?

Same question for any addictive behaviors. Say a person is fighting an addiction to alcohol. Can that struggle be offered up as redemptive suffering?

 

[Blue_Rose]

Yes it can! Because to struggle is to suffer.

 

[ready]

I’ve been wondering - can the temptation to a particular sin constitute a cross to bear such that it could be offered up as redemptive suffering?

To give an example of what I mean - let’s say someone fell in love many years ago but, due to distance and many factors, the relationship could not last. The people in the relationship moved on to form other relationships, but still continue to feel love and/or longing to see the other person despite one or both being married. Perhaps there is lust, perhaps not, but the individuals struggle with envy and other sinful thoughts, endeavoring not to succumb to them.

Can that struggle be offered up for the salvation of others? Can a heartbreak be offered up, even if the object of your heartbreak is married? Or is allowing oneself to feel the heartbreak a sin?

Same question for any addictive behaviors. Say a person is fighting an addiction to alcohol. Can that struggle be offered up as redemptive suffering?

We should make everything a sacrifice, and if possible, offer up every sacrifice we make – every pain we suffer, every suffering experienced (e.g. resisted temptations count), every joy we experience (e.g. the joy of eating a tasty cherry) – to God for some good cause like the conversion of sinners or the relief of the poor souls. We should never ever think romantically about another person’s spouse, we should not be envious of a person’s spouse or give any thought to dangerous thoughts. We can, however, offer up our painful feelings and painful losses. God bless you.