When suffering is
fruitful
"All things work together for good for those who love God"
In his article The Advantages of Suffering , Fr. Mario asks the following question: " Does this mean, that rather than being explained away or removed, suffering becomes fruitful for us when we realize Jesus' loving, compassionate and accompanying presence in it ? " Having experienced my share of storms going through life, my answer to this question is a very loud yes.
Suffering definitely becomes fruitful for us when we realize that God has a plan for all of us: "I have a plan for you...if only you had listened to My voice...your peace would have flowed like a gentle river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea". ( Isaiah 48 : I7 ) and when we put Him first in our lives, everything that happens to us is part and parcel of that plan. Only good can come out of it: "All things work together for good for those who love God"
( Romans 8: 28),.
If we are to be His instruments, we must not kick against, or try to wreck, the perfect plan which he has for us - even though we think otherwise - knowing that He never makes a mistake. He is using us in order to execute this plan. Could our prayer be: Thank you Lord that things are not going my way but yours.
When our morning prayer is: I want, what you want, for me to-day Lord, we experience ineffable peace.
We become the persons God intended us to be.
We reach full potential, get a great kick out of living and hold heaven in the palms of our hands!
"God commands us to pray but He forbids us to worry". Saint John Vianney.
"I am most myself, when I surrender to God".
Fr Robert Barron - Word on Fire.
Anita Kilbride - Jones,
Saint Paul's Bay, Malta.
