Suffering and God's Protection

It is very often that we complain about tribulations and suffering. It comes from sheer disappointment of not being as much as we'd want to be or preventing us from doing something we'd want to do.

The complaint to God is heard, but does it change His Will? Probably not.

Read a few passages on suffering from Saint Faustina's diary. She is one who suffered immeasurably. Her goal was to do God's Will, even if it meant intense suffering. Saint Faustina saw promise in suffering and took others' suffering upon herself.

She also knew that offering her suffering was a gift back to God and would include His Divine Protection.

Pray to Saint Faustina to intercede for us in the midst of great suffering in our lives. She certainly understands the cross and helps carry it for us.

She writes in March 1937:

I suffer great pain at the sight of the sufferings of others. All these sufferings are reflected in my heart. I carry their torments in my heart so that it even wears me out physically. I would like all pains to fall upon me so as to bring relief to my neighbor.

Amid terrible torments, I fix my eyes on You, my God, and though a storm is gathering over my head, I know that the sun is not extinguished. Nor do I wonder at the deceitfulness of creatures, but I accept in advance whatever may happen. My lips are silent, while my ears are satiated with derision. I strive for silence in my heart amidst the greatest sufferings, and I protect myself against all attacks with the shield of Your Name. (Diary entries 1039 and 1040)

God Protects, in a Special Way,A Soul That Loves Him Sincerely

From Saint Faustina's diary in 1937.

April 17. Today, during a catechetical lecture [by Father Theodore], I was given a confirmation of what I had understood interiorly and lived by for quite some time; namely, that if a soul loves God sincerely and is intimately united with Him, then, even though such a soul may be living in the midst of difficult external circumstances, nothing can disturb its interior life; and in the midst of corruption, it can remain pure and unsullied; because the great love of God gives it strength for battle, and God also protects in a special way, even in a miraculous way, a soul that loves Him sincerely. (Diary entry 1094)