The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times.
God doesn’t deny suffering. In fact, He uses it for our purification, preparing us for perfection with Him in heaven. St. Teresa of Avila, a contemplative who helped restore the redemptive nature of austerity to her congregation, is quoted to say, “All the way to heaven is heaven.” It is so because God wants our entirety. He wants us to let go of that which binds us to earth so to be on the heavenly path to heaven. He promises us this, and His promise is pure.
Greg McGee, “Bernini’s Ecstasy of St. Teresa of Avila.” Sharpie on paper.
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Reflections from the Pew 
With each bought of suffering I have endured throughout my life (life-threatening illness, deaths of my parents, end of my marriage), I have let go of something. I have found the less I cling to in this world, the more like heaven it becomes.
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Those who are most compassionate have at some time tasted of suffering in some way I have found.
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Very true!
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