Living life in the secular world as a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS)
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Offer It Up
Offer it up was a statement that took me a while to understand. When I had a problem, pain, a difficult situation some people would tell me to "offer it up." My thought was "huh what are you talking about?" When I finally understood what it meant, that is exactly what I started to do when difficulty or pain came into my life. I understood it to be that you can take these opportunities to suffer with Jesus. We could never of course go through what He went through for us but in a small way we can join our sufferings to His and this will give us the strength we need to get through our difficult times. It helps me to be able to not complain so much and endure it with a little more patients than normal. Instead of wallowing in misery, I am able to say "I join my suffering to yours Jesus for sinners, those that are persecuted or for our Church." Not only do we have an opportunity to suffer along side Jesus in our little way but we also have the opportunity to use our pain or suffering for a grater purpose, like a prayer. Don't be surprised if your pain may increase a little. Just know that God is working with what you are giving to Him for a greater purpose. What an awesome opportunity to be used by God in this way. If we allow ourselves to be a vessel He can bring great good out of what we offer to Him and in union with Him. You also may find that you will not have a tough time getting through your pain or suffering. You may also find that you will be able to get through it with more patients than normal because you are joining yourself with Jesus willingly and out of love. I cant think of any better way to get through pain and suffering than going through it willingly out of love with Jesus. Peace T
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)