Christian Suffering

I am a member of my local parishes ministry for young adults, and every week we have a meeting and discuss something, usually something we've been reading. This ranges from a Bible study to reading books of importance to the faith, such as the Theology of the Body.

Currently, we're reading G.K. Chesterton's Orthodoxy, and in the course of our most recent discussion, the issue of pain arose. While it's fresh in my memory, I'm going to take this opportunity to post three meditations on the nature of suffering in Christianity that I believe essential to a proper understanding of pain. These are somewhat old, so I may at some point update them, but I believe for now they will suffice. Today we will begin with the first, and shortest, meditation. It is on the idea of enduring pain, which is the first step on the path.

"What is pain to the Christian? Recently a fellow Christian told me he desired for Christ to come soon and end the world. His reason was because he was tired of people insulting Christ, and Christians, tired of people sinning, etc.

Beware Christians, for such attitudes reek of selfishness. The mission of the Church was, is and ever shall be to spread the Gospel to all nations and thus prepare for the Second Coming. Christians, when it comes to pain, humiliation, even our intolerable adversary and our penchant for incredible sin, we must endure. Endure the hardships of this life. For our mission is not complete, and many millions, possibly billions of people are as yet unaware of the glory of Christ. If you can endure all this world might throw at you and bring the Gospel to just one more person all of your endurance will be well worth it. And would you honestly be able to look Christ in the eye if you choose to escape your suffering but fail to bring the Good News to one of your brothers? I know I would not be able to face up to Christ were I to fail Him in such a way..."