(Divine Mercy in My Soul – Diary 2:702) The soul bounds forward vehemently toward God, and the two loves come face to face: the Creator and the creature; one little drop seeks to measure itself with the ocean. At first, the little drop wants to enclose the infinite ocean within itself; but at the same moment, it knows itself to be just one small drop, and thus it is vanquished, and it passes completely into God like a drop into the ocean. At first, this moment is a torment, but so sweet that, on experiencing it, the soul is happy.

(Romans 5:3-4) “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

When people think of suffering, the first thing that comes to mind is heavy chains, or terrible pain, unbearable persecution, or out of control trials. But I believe that if there is a desire for blessings, then there also needs to be a willingness to suffer. Sometimes it isn’t always the bad things that cause us to suffer. Sometimes it is the good things – even God’s blessings. And in this God blesses us all the more.

As an example, have you ever worried about how a loved one was doing for what might’ve been no reason at all. Your love for them (which is good) caused you to suffer in those moments. This can happen in unexpected and many ways, especially in the weakness of our flesh. Another example is standing before Jesus Christ. That is good, and a massive blessing, but the fear that comes with it can be overwhelming.

Let us lift up our weary hearts to God, thank Him for the strength to endure, and bless His Name.