The theologian Paul Tillich wrote: "People who endure suffering are taken beneath the routines of life and find they are not who they believed themselves to be."
When we plan for the future, we often talk about all the good times we hope to have. But throughout my life, I noticed that when people remember the past, they don’t talk about happiness! It is often the ordeals that seem most significant. People shoot for happiness but feel formed through suffering!
Pain is a powerful force that has the ability to crush through our inner selves and expose our true selves. It can reveal all of our weaknesses and our fragile faith!
But, as difficult as it may be, it's through pain that we have the opportunity to build ourselves up again on a firmer foundation, and get one more step towards spiritual depth.
-Links-
For Bible Readings
Gospel of Luke - Chapter 10: https://st-takla.org/Bibles/BibleSearch/showChapter.php?book=52&chapter=10
Gospel of John - Chapter 11: https://st-takla.org/Bibles/BibleSearch/showChapter.php?book=53&chapter=11
Gospel of John - Chapter 12: https://st-takla.org/Bibles/BibleSearch/showChapter.php?book=53&chapter=12
For The Chosen scene of John 3 (Jesus talking to Nicodemus): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p2XIUK9VgA&list=LL&index=3
For Father Daoud Lamei Spiritual Day (Bethany)
Lazarus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX_-qasTEYQ&list=LL&index=13
Martha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YFDEaiCEAI&list=LL&index=14
Mary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjF-J3TMs20&list=LL&index=6
For Jerry Sittser A Grace Disguised Book: https://www.amazon.com/Grace-Disguised-Soul-Grows-through/dp/0310258952
For Sheldon Vanauken A Severe Mercy Book: https://www.amazon.com/Severe-Mercy-Sheldon-Vanauken-ebook/dp/B0053JJUL8/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682418581&sr=1-1
For Lazarus Hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8d7x2VIuRI