
The Value of Suffering
Jeff CavinsSuffering is a universal human experience. Jeff Cavins explores how suffering can be a transformative and redemptive experience when we unite it with Christ's suffering. Drawing on Scripture verses and the teachings of St. John Paul II, Jeff provides deep insight and encouragement on how we can find deeper meaning in our suffering.
Snippet from the Show
Suffering clears the way for grace so our souls can be transformed.
Shownotes
Peter Kreeft and St. John Paull II Quotes on Suffering
"The ancient question: what is the end of life? Aristotle’s answer is happiness. Happiness is what we seek. The meaning of the word happiness has changed since Aristotle’s time. Today, we define it as something wholly subjective: a feeling. The premodern writers meant that happiness was an objective state, first of all, not merely a subjective feeling. The Greek word for happiness, eudaimonia, literally means good spirit or good soul. To be happy is to be good. For modern man, what gives his life meaning? Feeling good. The ancient's answer is being good. Feeling good is not compatible with suffering; being good is. Furthermore, the most popular modern answer to the question of what it means to be good is to be kind. Do not make others suffer. By this standard, God is not good if he lets us suffer. But by ancient standards, God might be good even though he lets us suffer if he does it for the sake of the greater end of happiness, perfection of life, character, and soul". (Dr. Peter Kreeft)
“A quick reflection on human parenting tells us that we know deep down that the ancient mind is right. Parents who want only freedom from suffering for their children are not wise parents.
“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“Suffering is almost inseparable from man’s earthly existence.”
“Man perishes when he loses ‘eternal life.’ The opposite of salvation is not, therefore, only temporal suffering and kind of suffering, but the definitive suffering: the loss of eternal life, being rejected by God – damnation. The only begotten Son was given to humanity primarily to protect man against this definitive evil and definitive suffering.” (St. John Paul II)
“This is an extremely important aspect of suffering. It is profoundly rooted in the entire revelation of the old and, above all, the new covenant. Suffering must serve for conversion, that is, for the rebuilding of goodness in the subject (St. John Paul II)
“In the cross of Christ, not only is the redemption accomplished through suffering but also human suffering itself has been redeemed” (St. John Paul II)
“It is suffering, more than anything else, which clears the way for the grace which transforms human souls” (St. John Paul II)
“Down through the centuries and generations, it has been seen that in suffering, there is concealed a particular power that draws a person interiorly close to Christ, a special grace” (St. John Paul II)
“For suffering cannot be transformed and changed by the grace from outside, but from within. And Christ through his own self that the suffering is very much present in every human suffering and can act from within that suffering by the powers of his Spirit of truth, his consoling Spirit” (St. John Paul II)
“The springs of divine power gush forth precisely in the midst of human weakness. Those who share in the sufferings of Christ preserved in their own sufferings a very special particle of the infinite treasure of the world's redemption and can share this treasure with others” (St. John Paul II)
Different Kinds of Suffering
- Physical suffering
- Moral suffering
- Temporal suffering.
- Definitive suffering
Scripture Verses on Suffering
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” (Colossians 1:24)
“We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him.” (Hebrews 12:5)
“My grace is sufficient for you. For power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not for sake; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For while we will live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh…, Knowing that he who raised the Lord will raise us also with Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–11, 14)
“For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too.” (2 Corinthians 1:5)
“We are… fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:17–18)
“Rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Peter 4:13)
“For to this, you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted in him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:20–23)
“Therefore, let those who suffer according to God's will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4:19)
“Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:8)