Why does God want strong souls?

[Sarcelle]

True.

We need wisdom for this and this is precisely the reason why people who want to do corporal mortifications should be under the supervision of a spiritual adviser.

By the way, my priest was the one who told me of the need for supervision when undergoing mortifications.

 

[JamalChristophr]

I “just happened to” change the channel on my parents, hehe, over to EWTN and there was just this truly awesome show on “human suffering”. It was very powerful. Some powerful and sad testimonies. Some miracles, too.

I’d highly recmmend it, but I"m not sure it will be on again: “Praying as a Faimly” [series] and the specific episode was “The Mystery of Suffering.”

One story was of a man who suffered terribly from Parkinson’s. He was miraculously healed by a 1st classic relic of Pope John Paul II. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

 

[Lee1]

One story was of a man who suffered terribly from Parkinson’s. He was miraculously healed by a 1st classic relic of Pope John Paul II. There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

I have an elderly friend who would be very interested in that because he has suffered from Parkinson’s for many years now. He has an amazingly active social life though and I wonder how much his sense of humour has helped him through life and with his coping.

Thanks for the post.

 

[fhansen]

Can’t disagree. While few would go looking for it, I think suffering, adversity can challenge, test, and refine us.

 

[prayerrider]

I don’t overdo corporal mortification so I don’t worry about not having a spiritual director. But I can see where others, who might otherwise be prone to harm themselves, might need oversight.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine

Actually, scientific studies have shown that laughter decreases the perception of pain and decreases stress.

 

[Lee1]

It’s definately healthier I think, and it’s a bit like when the sun breaks through on a grey cloudy day, just a glimpse of sunshine, enough to help lift the spirits so to speak.

It’s not good to be constantly serious, a healthy balance is good isn’t it.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

It’s also a quality of life thing.
If you’re sick and have a bad attitude, it hurts you and everybody around you, but if you make the best of it, you can still find joy in day to day life.

 

[oldgraymare2]

Simply choosing to be Catholic can open you to lots of ridicule as you and I both know.

We don’t have to seek out suffering when it is found in abundance in this fallen world. Suffering seeks us out. To bear all of that without losing our faith is the challenge.

Also we are supposed to help each other with our burdens. I doubt very much if any of us here have extremely soft and easy lives. We all have our scars even if it is not apparent to others.

Thanks for a really thoughtful and well-said post.

I also think that we never know the burdens that another person is carrying, unless they decide to tell us/share them with us.

Someone may “look fine,” but they may be suffering from something spiritual, emotional, physical and so on, that we don’t see outright.

I also believe that everyone tolerates things to a certain degree. What I might be able to handle, may be really difficult for someone else, and what they might be able to handle, might be the very thing that “gets on my last nerve,” so to speak.

I also feel that we are here on this Earth to love and care and help each other. I really believe that that is what God wants us to do.

May God bless all of us as we each carry our Crosses, no matter what they may be.

 

[oldgraymare2]

Lee1:

How heavy a cross should we be willing to bear?

We don’t actually have a choice here. We get what we get. And that holds true whatever religion (or not) we are.

I can only share what my own response is—after concentrating on making my Advent focused on the spiritual, I’m on a course of gratitude and surrender.
I have stuff in my life right now that I would never choose and would gladly leave behind, but as long as I have to endure it, and I have no control over (and limited influence), I’ve been making the concerted effort to thank God every day, for everything I can, and sometimes I’ve even thanked Him for my cross .
I’m also in the process of learning how to surrender my loved ones to His care, considering He loves them more than I do, anyhow.
It’s a work in progress, like weeding out a garden everyday, rather than a “road to Damascus” style event.

I can certainly understand doing what you’re doing, as I try to do the exact same thing, too.

I don’t find it easy to do, honestly.

But I also find that when you love God, you can hand your burdens over to Him in trust.

We can “offer them up.”

I also thank Him for the blessings in my life too, and for the simple joys that I have in my life too, that also make me happy.

I am sorry for your struggles. May God and His Angels and Saints comfort you during this stressful time for you.

God bless you!

 

[Lee1]

I also feel that we are here on this Earth to love and care and help each other. I really believe that that is what God wants us to do.

That’s lovely, thanks.
There certainly is a never ending supply of people to help, and we are told we will be judged by how we loved.

I have a feeling you love well, God bless.

 

[tweedlealice]

Strong souls can fight against evil& win. He knows what we are dealing with. We forget our spiritual power to use against the darts of the evil one.

 

[oldgraymare2]

oldgraymare2:

I also feel that we are here on this Earth to love and care and help each other. I really believe that that is what God wants us to do.

That’s lovely, thanks.
There certainly is a never ending supply of people to help, and we are told we will be judged by how we loved.

I have a feeling you love well, God bless.

Thanks for your really lovely comments, Lee.

I try my best, but I’m not always successful. I just keep trying, though.

God bless you!

 

[JamalChristophr]

Mother Angelica, I heard her say, “If you have a headache, take the aspirin.” and basically if the aspirin does not help, then offer it up.

I’m kind of a wimp. Even if I had a small rock in my shoe, I would probably take it out. Depends on the day and how much it was bugging me.

 

[guanophore]

Do you think that people are unwilling to suffer much in modern times?

Indeed I do! The current culture in the US is that no one should have to suffer for any reason. We have billboards and commercials telling us that “you deserve a break today” and if we are in pain call “xy and z”.’’

I think that modern US culture has lost the meaning of suffering. When one sees how much law and advertising has gone towards promoting cannabis use to avoid suffering it is clear that the modern sentiment is to “numb” suffering at any cost.

One looks at the commercials for psychotropic medications that, despite very serious side effects, encourage the populace to “ask your doctor for ____”

Things like, turning the other cheek for example which may require a seeming loss of face?

I think, originally, was more related to loss of face, I think it was more related to doing things that appeared to be in collaboration with the “enemy”. Just as those who served the Nazi’s (like “comfort women”) were ostracized, so were Christians that showed the Romans consideration/kindness such as carrying their load two miles instead of one.

Perhaps ingratitude towards working people who may be late delivering a service or who may have produced shoddy workmanship, it seems people are quick to blame and seek material compensation, rather than simply put up with it?

No, I don’t think it glorifies God to tolerate shoddy workmanship or to "put up with " substandard work.

Similarly, are people less likely to suffer admonishment and instead retaliate quickly instead of showing forebearance?

I do agree that the current modern attitude is that one gets defensive, rather than understanding admonishment as a gift.

One example is the US commander in chief, who cannot tolerate criticism of any kind, and has a gross lack of forbearance.

 

[guanophore]

The lack of a good may be when say, I take exception to something someone has said

s
No. Although disagreement may cause suffering, taking exception to something someone has said can be taking exception from the Truth. Sometimes we suffer because we will not accept the Truth, just as Jonah did .

I’m lacking several good qualities perhaps and lacking those causes me to suffer anger, mental agitation etc.

Ultimately, suffering is caused by the influence of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is true that some people suffer because they are overcome by these ungodly influences. It is also true that lacking the fruit of the Holy Spirit does result in a predisposition to anger and loss of peace.

The condition of being out of God’s will is the ultimate cause of suffering. What you are citing are only the symptoms.

So it’s the qualities that people will attain through suffering which will improve the soul?

That all depends upon the condition of he soul in question. Suffering only improves the condition of one’s soul if one is in a state of grace with God.

 

[Lee1]

I agree, St Job springs to mind though.

Moderation is often the key I think. Often people try to break a proposition by applying it to extremes, when it breaks they point to the error in your proposition. The proposer May then propose a mild or soft example where the proposition is true,and point to the veracity of the proposition. The softest example though maybe so soft that it’s of no use to anyone.

So a compromise is usually where propositions work well…but not always!

Many saints are known for their suffering of various kinds, but not all. Many saints are known mainly for their charity I’m sure, but not all. And probably most saints suffered and most saints exhibited charity.

 

[Edwyn]

I rather think that God wants joyful souls. But then, joyful souls are strong souls.

“The joy of the Lord is you strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

 

[Lee1]

That reminds me of St Francis and his joy after he’d been robbed and left naked! His joy was due to the adversity God had given him. Taking it as a gift to learn from.

I told someone once that as I’d aged I had overcome quite a few of the problems which I’d had in the past, I had improved no end I thought. Just after I’d finished saying it I had another thought.

Actually I’d just learned to avoid the things I couldn’t handle, I hadn’t improved at all!

 

[Mboo]

Because in suffering we imitate Jesus and suffering helps us detach ourselves from the things of this world.

is it possible to know how suffering detaches us from the things of this world? I have rather the impression that it is the opposite, for example when I am suffering from hunger, I have a greater tendency to seek the food of the earth than to meditate on the goods of heaven. So the suffering seems to push us more towards the things of this world.