The embracing of suffering, I am convinced, must be reduced to the simple. The daily little sufferings. Suffering is not only the tragic events of loss, death, and disease. The little sufferings are holding our tongue and thoughts when we receive unpleasant words. Disciplining our thoughts, uniting them with the Cross, when we observe the world horribly conflicting with our beliefs. When others do not recognize our discernment, nor care to hear our opinions, we remain at peace. When others are convinced we are inferior, it causes no harm. When God infuses consolations of wisdom, we do not use them as a means of drawing attention. We can worship hidden amongst the crowd. We are content to remain quiet—no festering or harboring bitter resentful thoughts when others seek control. We cease arguing in our head, suffering the reality that we are small, mediocre in a world of highly intelligent people. Faith is not about being a superior individual. We are at peace with ourselves, comprehending multitudes possess higher IQs, competently able to do things we are unable to do. We lose the need to see ourselves as something special. Comparing and contrasting are eliminated. It is enough to recede into the love and mercy of God, grateful for the opportunity of life.

…………

For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ: In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God. The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labors, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training.

…………

Would that men might come at last to see that it is quite impossible to reach the thicket of the riches and wisdom of God except by first entering the thicket of much suffering, in such a way that the soul finds there its consolation and desire. The soul that longs for divine wisdom chooses first, and in truth, to enter the thicket of the cross.

…………

The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it.

St John of the Cross