JOURNAL=6-8-15=GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SUFFERING

JOURNAL=6-8-15=GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SUFFERING “For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us-so THROUGH Christ does OUR ENCOURAGEMENT also OVERFLOW” 2 Corinthians 1:5 WHEREVER we are-whatever we do-NO MATTER who we are with-the PRESENCE OF GOD is there-so IF we are suffering NO WORRY-GOD and Jesus are RIGHT THERE with us SOMETIMES-we are in pain-it may be physical-it may be emotional-or it may be SPIRITUAL sometimes it may be ALL three at once-AT SUCH TIMES-where do we go-ONLY to God and the Lord-sometimes GOD'S and the LORD'S PRESENCE-even in the midst of our suffering-TRANSFORMS even the greatest pain Dear LORD-we PRAY-that we may have the STRENGTH to join our suffering to yours-and that we MAY be as COMPASSIONATE with others as you are with us it is A GREAT DAY to be ALIVE in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day for KNOWING that God and Jesus understand our greatest suffering-for there is NO PAIN in this world-that Jesus did NOT already ENDURE GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SUFFERING ONE of life's Greatest challenges Is coming to terms With human suffering In particular OUR VERY OWN SUFFERING The suffering Of of physical ailments The suffering Of financial woes And the suffering Of BROKEN relationships Perhaps even Within our own immediate family SUFFERING means To ENDURE physical or emotional loss And pain In the midst Of our suffering We wonder IF God truly loves And cares for us But we know that HE DOES Because our Lord-OUR SAVIOR Endured suffering To the nth degree “Father-into your hands- I commend my spirit” Luke 23:46 For HE endured The agony in the garden The scourging at the pillar The humiliation crowning with thorns CARRYING THE CROSS to Calvary And dying a humiliating death “MY GOD-my God WHY did you ABANDON me?” Matthew 27:26 and Mark 15:34 Jesus-OUR God and our Savior UNDERSTANDS our suffering All too well Many people TURN AWAY from God And become filled with anger Because of their unresolved suffering But for me-MY personal sufferings Has only brought me CLOSER TO GOD Because like Peter-I feel,- “WHERE would I run to Lord? You possess the words Of EVERLASTING LIFE” John 6:68 Jesus does-God does UNDERSTAND our suffering Even after today=GOOD FRIDAY= I can honestly say I DON'T understand our sufferings Any better But I do KNOW God understands my sufferings That Jesus understands my suffering For God did In the person Of his own SON- Jesus Christ WALK The path first And he asks us To trust in TO BELIEVE IN HIM God understands our suffering For he is CLOSE To the brokenhearted “My flesh and my heart May FAIL But God is the STRENGTH Of my heart And my portion FOREVER” Psalm 73:26 We find GOD'S PRESENCE In the midst of our sufferings We FIND OURSELVES In the midst Of our suffering “Therefore We do NOT lose heart Though outwardly We are wasting away Yet INWARDLY We are being RENEWED Each day” 2 Corinthians 4:16 What is UNSEEN is eternal GOD UNDERSTANDS our suffering Dear Lord- WE PRAY that We will NOT fail you In our final hour But IF we do We trust that YOUR LOVING SACRIFICE Will make up For what is lacking in us You Oh Lord-God UNDERSTAND OUR SUFFERING Robert P. Wallman 4-3-15 & 6-8-15 Ps INSPIRED by an article in LIVING FAITH MAGAZINE By Monsignor Stephen J. Rossetti