Sufferings...why is it a necessity in our daily Christian living

Today, I would like to share this aspect of our lives which we all tried to avoid but is indeed necessary for our Christian living leading to our eventual union with God...

To begin with, on a lighter side...this morning I just learnt from my colleague that God created only 3 types of men namely introvert, extrovert and the 3rd type of men is pervert....! We all learnt something new everyday!!

Anyway, to something more serious now....was reading this book on the train on my way to work..(BTW, nowadays train rides are indeed more pleasant, since SMRT increases the frequency of trains during the peak hour, at least now I don't have to take to Pasir Ris and then ride all the way to City Hall to change train...oops sorry for the side track)

After reading the following, I begin to think of the value of sufferings in our daily Christian living and I remember, Fr Tim (Holy Trinity) in his sermon over the weekend he mentioned that ....life in this world does not belongs to us...it belongs to God so that is why it is so important for us to submit to the will God and do what pleases God.

Before, I proceed we must all acknowledge that SIN has separate us, MEN (also WOMEN) and GOD since the beginning of time..it was never on the original plan of God in His creation.

Now, onto the reason why sufferings is so important here is why....in this book St Therese has list down 4 reasons on why sufferings has to be very much a part of our daily Christian living.

Briefly, firstly, suffering is necessaryy as a means to detach us, to purify us and dispose us for union with Christ, Himself.

Reason 2, Sufferings is also a matter of love. It is God's proof that He loves us. [It is hard to comprehend this fact but then...]

Reason 3...sufferings is that without it we cannot reach heaven.

Finally,, suffering is necessary for the the salvation of souls. And this is a fact that we mmust all accept..

Now, to assimilate the explanation above...first of all..we must all know that in God's creation of the humanity, sufferings is not part of the original plan for man. God did not create us to see us suffer. How sufferings comes about is actually brought about by our own imperfection leading us to sin. Hence, sufferings is a consequence of our sinful nature.

I just want to share with you all on the value of sufferings...not that I am able to cope with it when the time comes...I am actually a coward and also am very weak but hope that with this little sharing when any one of you comes face to face with any form of sufferings in your daily life you will remember that you are certainly not alone and to press on and ask God's grace to carry on for your reward shall be great in heaven...

Good bye and God Bless!!

Boss wants to inspect the lab now....

Albert Y