Suffering prepares us for greater joy

By Kristy Solis

Recently, my daughters experienced a death of a loved one in our family. The loss was a difficult life milestone. Yet, the most difficult part of this experience for them was the suffering of others around them.

What do you teach your children about suffering?  We had a number of family discussions about suffering. To be human is to suffer; suffering is a shared human experience; and each person suffers in his or her own way.

Faith is the constant for us to not lose our way through suffering. “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day” Corinthians 4:16.

As adults, we can reflect on suffering and the strength it has brought or will bring. Yet, children do not have the life experience yet. When children suffer or feel the suffering of others, we need to guide them to learn from it and lean into their faith.

This will provide them strength to know God will always provide. Then, as we continued in remembrance of our loved one, my daughters could see the great joy of honoring one’s spirit.

Suffering will provide us with the tools to prepare us for greater joy with God. Our Lord is our foundation to not lose hope through suffering. God’s grace will be provided even when we do not deserve it.

Lord, hear our prayers to continue to renew the spirit in us day by day. Lord, fix our sights not on what is seen, but on what is unseen in faith; for our suffering is just a pause to achieving God’s glory.