Suffering towards greatness: A love story!

A Love Story. An elderly man and wife were admitted to a nursing home. Mary had dementia while Michael needed assistance with daily activities of living. Every day, they woke up to new declines in her cognition. One day, Mary saw him as an intruder and assaulted him. His heart was shattered. Options were: stay put and risk continued assaults or move into separate rooms. He waited and prayed until one day she fractured his skull. He finally agreed. To protect his safety, they were separated.

His wedding vows--broken? His pain and suffering were overwhelming. He vowed as her husband to protect her! Was he breaking his vows? When the spiritual team explained the benefits of suffering, he reluctantly agreed that they were sitting on a gold mine. Every morning, he gifted their suffering to Jesus through Mother Mary. As her husband, he had authority over her to make decisions for them. Over the years, it didn't really click until her recent death. Not a drop of their suffering was wasted. Today, he mourns her loss profoundly but can find security in how God turned her suffering to love. He sees proof through the graces showered upon their family' souls.

The Catholic church teaches these 3 major benefits of suffering:

• Suffering has meaning. It gets our attention and forces a decision. Either we choose God or the alternative of despair. Over time, Michael's relationship with God and his mental prayer increases as he seeks higher meaning, deepening love, and God-willing, eternal salvation for both their souls.

• Our choice in the midst of suffering and death defines our eternal identity. Now that Mary is gone physically, Michael better understands why Jesus suffered through to the Resurrection. He is devastated with Mary's absence but tries to carry his heavy cross. While he has bad days, he knows if he perseveres, he will see her again. At one point, he asked God "to go home with her."

• Suffering can be united to Christ's suffering. By gifting it to God through Mother Mary, we imitate Jesus' self-sacrificial love for his bride--us. This contributes to the redemption of the world. Michael continues to offer his loss, isolation, disability and separation in hopeful return for more souls. Michael still faces despair daily but tries to pray through it. Every week, the priest comes for confession and to bring the Holy Eucharist, while the spiritual team focuses on coaching Michael to unite his suffering with Christ's.

The Dark Cloud. In the thick of suffering, we must remain humble and recall these benefits. God is Love and Father to His prodigal children. Though we justify feeling abandoned, hurt, bewildered, angry and depressed when confronted with undeserved suffering, we must not self-destruct or satan wins. Through His active or passive will, God remains compassionate, wise and salvific. When entering the dark place of resentment and despair, we must find a way to return to Him. Gifting our pain is freeing and it will be received with love, acceptance and compassion.

Use it or lose it. Jesus said we would weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but that our grief will turn to joy in John 16:20. Likewise, He promised we would have trouble in this world, but He has overcome it, see John 16:3. Every short and concise prayer we can muster is a perfect petition, especially in times of suffering, depression, and anxiety. Don't waste a drop. Our suffering is a "gold mine" of Love!

Source: 

Why Do Good People Suffer? | Magiscenter.com