By Fr. Glenn Jones:
“My scars tell a story. They are a reminder of times that life tried to break me … but failed.”
This aphorism, which I encountered recently, is one that I think many, if not all, of us can relate to in some way, and is not unlike philosopher Frederich Nietzsche’s “What does not kill me makes me stronger.”
We are taught even as children that life will not be a bed of roses … that difficulties enter everyone’s life relative to his status and condition. Yet, as muscles are strengthened through resistance and not through ease, psychological strength and resilience results in overcoming those inevitable difficulties of life. “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” (Proverbs 17:3)
Obviously there are many who suffer greatly—those in slavery around the world, those who suffer with inadequate food, clothing and shelter to name just a few. And yet, even with all of those hardships, they fight to survive. One example I think of often is the Jews in the Holocaust—starving, beaten, imprisoned. How did they find the strength and—even more so, the will—to continue with life? And yet they did. Or through the ages the peoples whose cities and livelihoods were obliterated in war and natural catastrophes. And yet they did.
Suffering is tragic and difficult, but can also serve as a catalyst for personal growth and resilience. This reflects with our Christian understanding of suffering as often being transformative when endured with faith, and potentially can strengthen one’s communion with God.
Scripture, recording and reflecting human history and experience, consistently portrays suffering as a means of spiritual growth and divine purpose. St. Paul writes, “We glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:3-5) Paul is positing that suffering is not merely an obstacle but a process that builds virtue, eventually leading to greater hope in God. Yet the strength derived from suffering comes not from Man alone but is rooted in God’s grace. And God is not prevented from so touching even the non-believer; in fact, suffering often can lead conversion to faith.
Similarly, Christians are urged to: “… consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2-4) Here, trials are seen as the crucible in which spiritual maturity is refined and strengthened, aligning with the idea of strength through adversity but grounding it also in a divinely-inspired purpose of seeking ever greater perfection of fortitude and will.
A book whose very contemplative theme is of the mystery of human suffering is the Book of Job—Job whose famous declaration is: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Yet Job’s immense suffering—loss of family, wealth, and health—does not destroy him but rather deepens his faith. His trials, though severe, led to a deeper encounter with God, illustrating that suffering can strengthen one’s relationship with the divine. This has been the experience of saints and martyrs throughout the two millennia of Christians, and the millennia of Judaism even before that.
A favorite storied theme of forgiveness and deepening of faith through suffering is of Joseph in Genesis. Joseph suffered betrayal by his brothers and sold in slavery in Egypt. Through God’s grace, however, he eventually rises to high position, and when his brothers were in his power of life or death, he said: “‘Fear not, for am I in the place of God? … you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive … So do not fear…’ Thus he reassured them and comforted them.” (Genesis 50:19-21)
St. Augustine reflects on the trials of the righteous: “The fire which makes gold shine makes chaff smoke; the same flail breaks up the straw and clears the grain.” (City of God, Book I, Chapter 10) Augustine offering that suffering tests and refines the faithful, trials serving to burn away impurities and reveal the soul’s true worth and resilience. Augustine is echoed by St. John Chrysostom: “Tribulations are a sort of discipline, a training, a school for the soul.” For both of these authors, adversity is not random but a divine tool to cultivate virtues like patience and hope. Finally, as St. Basil the Great writes: “The just man, though he be afflicted, is not broken; though he be tried, he is not overcome.” Basil suggests an active resilience, not passive resignation. Suffering, when approached with faith, becomes a crucible for spiritual growth.
Modernism holds that strength arises from within, independent of external forces like God. But this contrasts sharply with the Christian view, where strength is a gift from God, as Paul recounts God’s words to him from a revelation: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) For Christians, suffering reveals our human frailty, but it also can make room for divine strength to enter in. Indeed, ofttimes we wonder how we would make it through some severe trials—the loss of a child, catastrophic diagnoses, etc.—without divine help.
Mankind is perplexed by the mystery of suffering, yet we need only look at a crucifix to know that suffering indeed is not empty of purpose. Love for others, even in suffering, reflects Christ’s self-emptying love for the world. This challenges modern individualism, and posits that true strength lies in sacrificial love, exemplified by Christ’s cross.
When endured with faith, suffering can refine the soul, build virtues and draw believers closer to God. While the world emphasizes self-reliance, Christianity points to reliance on God’s grace and support among one another, for true strength is found in weakness transformed by divine assistance. This perspective offers hope and purpose, assuring us that suffering, though painful, is not wasted in God’s redemptive plan.
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer … you may be tested … you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.