Comforted So That We Can Bring Comfort

…but daily it brings me joy in this sorrow which is part of our human condition, and a real, very real and vital sense of the meaning and the fruitfulness of these sufferings.  Thomas á Kempis, a mystic not at all in fashion now, says that in the cross is joy of spirit.  Jesus said, Take up your cross and follow me.  There is no one living who is not bearing a cross of some kind... My grace is sufficient, God promises us….

Compassion — it is a word meaning "to suffer with".  If we all carry a little of the burden, it will be lightened.  If we share in the suffering of the world, then some will not have to endure so heavy an affliction.  It evens out.  What you do here in New York, in Harrisburg, helps those in China, India, South Africa, Europe, and Russia, as well as in the oasis where you are.  You may think you are alone.  But we are members one of another.  We are children of God together...

I write to comfort others as I have been comforted.  The word comfort too means to be strong together, to have fortitude together.  There is the reminder of community.  Once when I suffered and sat in church in a misery while waves and billows passed over me, I suddenly thought, with exultation, "I am sharing suffering," and it was immediately lightened...

In patience you will possess your souls.  Patience means suffering and suffering is spiritual work, and it is accomplishing something, though we don't realise it until later.  It is a part of our education, our pilgrimage to heaven.  By it we keep in mind that all the way to heaven is heaven.

I have had so many years of experience of how God takes care of those who trust him.  He is unfailing and will send us what we need.