Give Up Worry Wednesdays: Day 36
Give Up Worry Wednesdays: Day 36
Suffering is a Blessing
Day 36: Fifth week of Lent
(On February 27, in Introducing Give Up Worry Wednesdays we announced our Lenten series, which takes a weekly reflection from a transforming new book by Gary Zimak, Give Up Worry for Lent: 40 Days to Finding Peace in Christ.)
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
While there are many different reasons for worrying, all of them share a common theme—a fear of suffering. We worry because we are afraid we will have to suffer and we would rather not. It’s understandable. Suffering is not fun. And while I want this book to be a source of comfort for you, I must be honest about something. Suffering is unavoidable. We will all go through it at one time or another. The good news is that your pain does not have to be wasted. Suffering can bear great fruit and unite you intimately with Jesus, but you must be willing to use it.
As I write this, there are some especially difficult challenges that I’m facing. Although I know that the Lord is with me, I’m not feeling his presence. Knowing that he can do all things isn’t keeping me from feeling a sense of hopelessness. And even though I have asked him to “make everything better,” it hasn’t happened. I didn’t ask for this and I don’t really want it, but my suffering gives me the opportunity to help Jesus in his mission of redemption. Confused? The opening verse from St. Paul holds the key.
Although he didn’t have to do so, Jesus wants to include us in his redeeming work. As members of his Mystical Body (the Church), we are granted this amazing privilege by Christ himself. Human beings have a natural aversion to suffering, but we can’t deny that our redemption took place through the agonizing death of Jesus on the Cross. By uniting our suffering with his, we are able to share in the redemption of all mankind. It’s no wonder that Paul was able to rejoice in his intense suffering!
Suffering is a part of life. Sooner or later it’s something that we all must face. And, while it’s perfectly acceptable to pray that it will be taken away (after all, that’s what Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane), don’t make the mistake of suffering in vain. The life of Christ was filled with humiliation and pain. When you suffer, he is offering you a chance to draw close and share in his pain. It truly is a blessing. Don’t waste the opportunity.
Gary Zimak is a Catholic evangelist and author of seven books, including A Worrier’s Guide to the Bible, Listen to Your Blessed Mother, From Fear to Faith and Stop Worrying and Start Living. He is a radio host and frequent speaker at parishes, retreats and conferences and is known across the country as the leading Catholic speaker on overcoming anxiety. Gary serves as director of parish services at Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church in North Wales, Pennsylvania.
