Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 1 Peter 4:1
“Indeed, the truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end, the one who suffers most: and his suffering comes to him from things so little and so trivial that one can say that it is no longer objective at all. It is his own existence, his own being, that is at once the subject and the source of his pain, and his very existence and consciousness is his greatest torture. This is another of the great perversions by which the devil uses our philosophies to turn our whole nature inside out, and eviscerate all our capacities for good, turning them against ourselves.”
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in The Seven Story Mountain (New York: Harcourt, 1948) 107
The Seven Story Mountain is another one from the list in 25 Books Every Christian Should Read: A Guide to the Essential Spiritual Classics. Here Merton teaches why we should not try to avoid suffering. In short, it “eviscerates all our capacities for good.”
Think about it. Christ embraced rather than avoided suffering. We must have the same attitude. God allows it to stop us in our tracks, to cause our reflection and the changing of directions, often turning from sin and turning to Him. Perhaps you can relate? I know I can.
But notice a related idea today which teaches us what happens when we try to avoid suffering. Merton helps us see that it causes fear to control us. The little possibilities of life consume our attention, which in turn eviscerates all our capacities for good.
So without fear of suffering, let us resolve to live, give, serve, and love generously. Let us not worry about whether we will have enough money or time or energy, but trust God to sustain us. Fear of suffering can hinder our generosity, while the righteous will live by faith.