SIX LEVELS OF FAITH IN SUFFERING

 Our response to suffering provides a yardstick to measure our spiritual maturity. Which of these six groups do you relate to most easily?

l. Those who believe in God but resent him for allowing suffering especially their own or a farnily member's.

2. Those who have enough faith to pray for relief but are resentful when God doesn't end that relief promptly.

3. Those who passively tolerate the suffering, not rebelling against God's will. They languish in their anguish, not using its benefits or seeing it as a gift of God.

4. Those who actively rejoice in suffering as a customized, growth-stimulating pruning, fully aware that "in all things God works for the good of those who love him"(Rom 8:28).

5. Those who rejoice in the eternal reward that is theirs through patiently enduring malicious acts or persecution others under God's permissive will. They find support in Jesus' words: "When people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you... rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven" (Mt 5:11-12).

6. Those who "rejoice when they are victimized by human-caused suffering for even higher motive—the privilege of being united with Christ in his suffering. They are sustained by Peter's words: "Rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.... You are blessed, the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" (1 Pt 4:13-14).

This spectrum of suffering-tested faith reveals a wide range of responses, from faith-weak to faith-hardy. The greater the faith, the greater the insight into the value of suffering, and of course, the greater the reward. The three highest levels entail active rejoicing in the spiritual benefits of suffering. In the lower levels the tragedy is not the experience of suffering but the waste of suffering.

This excerpt is from the book The Art of Loving God by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications, 1995. This and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.