I have always been told that pain is the essence of a person.
Pain creates a person, molds a person, makes them who they are. The more pain, the stronger the person.
To me, this sounds like the building of a robot, more than a person infused with the love of God.
Having recently been through a windmill and hurricane of craziness, and still in immense emotional and spiritual pain, it is extremely hard to even try and understand how being in pain or suffering can actually make me a better person. Many of my friends have turned away exasperated that they can't help me get my feet on the ground, I have even had a "therapist" give up on me...if this doesn't make one feel helpless, and hopeless, I really don't know what does.
In times like this when I have no earthly connection, I often turn to a saint friend of mine: St. Gemma Galgani.
She had earthly connections, but longed mostly for those of a heavenly nature, and if anyone knew what true suffering was. She did. St. Gemma is a Stigmatist not only receiving the 5 Holy Wounds, but receiving the crown of thorns as well. Many did not believe that she was given this gift, she was often pushed aside as a liar and a peasant. She dressed simply--- but her love of Jesus, was NOT. She is THE ideal saint to turn to when in pain, her faith alone makes one want to continue on.
She didn't wish for cancer- the only thing that would make my pain make any sense to me---but she suffered from spinal tuberculosis, which would be cured, then ultimately came back and took her holy life.
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Pain creates a person, molds a person, makes them who they are. The more pain, the stronger the person.
To me, this sounds like the building of a robot, more than a person infused with the love of God.
Having recently been through a windmill and hurricane of craziness, and still in immense emotional and spiritual pain, it is extremely hard to even try and understand how being in pain or suffering can actually make me a better person. Many of my friends have turned away exasperated that they can't help me get my feet on the ground, I have even had a "therapist" give up on me...if this doesn't make one feel helpless, and hopeless, I really don't know what does.
In times like this when I have no earthly connection, I often turn to a saint friend of mine: St. Gemma Galgani.
She had earthly connections, but longed mostly for those of a heavenly nature, and if anyone knew what true suffering was. She did. St. Gemma is a Stigmatist not only receiving the 5 Holy Wounds, but receiving the crown of thorns as well. Many did not believe that she was given this gift, she was often pushed aside as a liar and a peasant. She dressed simply--- but her love of Jesus, was NOT. She is THE ideal saint to turn to when in pain, her faith alone makes one want to continue on.
She didn't wish for cancer- the only thing that would make my pain make any sense to me---but she suffered from spinal tuberculosis, which would be cured, then ultimately came back and took her holy life.
St. Gemma, PRAY FOR US!!
It is amazing to have a holy friend to turn to.
When I read her biography, autobiography, and diary, I fall into a trance of amazement, and understanding. That pain is in fact good. It perfects us in the eyes of God. It really does make us who we are meant to be.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from St. Gemma herself:
"When I shrink from suffering, Jesus reproves me and tells me that He did not refuse to suffer. Then I say 'Jesus, Your will and not mine'. At last I am convinced that only God can make me happy, and in Him I have placed all my hope..."
We all must remember...it is God's will that we are here, it is God's will that we suffer at this moment. Beauty and peace will come at another time.
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