Suffering produces love. It sounds like paradox, how can suffering produce love? Many troubles tie people close together. When we are afflicted and we find other brothers and sisters in Christ who also are afflicted, we feel connected and our mutual love for Christ passes to one another. Suprisingly, it is the lack of suffering that causes love to grow soft and lose its strength.
The more trials and tribulations that tend to us, the closer we become to Christ and our fellow Christians. It is the persecutions and painful experiances that open our hearts to one another. Studies show that the poorest of people who are afflicted with great pain and problems have the greatest love for one another. When I was in Thekarani, South Africa, I saw this first hand. The entire community was poor, as if they were still living in desolate part of the Middle Ages. And yet their love was so great, that it changed my life! I a person from privilege and minimal problems found there in the bush, an affection born from affliction! There the African people embraced strangers like family! It is the only time outside a close family member, that I have experienced such depth of love and these people were poor and afflicted with many troubles (ranging from disease to dire need for food).
The world says that we should be comfortable and treats love like chemical that is found in the perfect setting of crystal and colorful cozy chambers. But the truth is that love is found in suffering. The great love was shown to us when Jesus Christ was physically being scourged and nailed to a cross. Seeing scenes of crucifixion reminds us of that unconditional and unfailing love of our Lord. In the torn and blood strain stripes of his flesh, we read love.
So if you are suffering, remember that it will bring forth a harvest of love. For in your affliction, persecution, pain, trial, tribulation, and troubles you will find a closeness to Christ and connection with the right kind of people. Suffering brings us together in a way nothing else does, and at the center of the scenes of suffering is Jesus Christ carrying a cross and paying the cost to save our souls.
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