We all suffer, but in my opinion, those who suffer well are the truest followers of Christ.

Because when they ridiculed him, he didn’t ridicule them back.

When they reviled him, he didn’t revile them back.

When they spit on him, he didn’t spit on them back.

When they tortured him, he didn’t torture them back.

And when they killed him, he didn’t kill them back.

Jesus suffered well. He accepted his pain without fostering feelings of revenge or retribution. He even transformed his suffering into compassion.

“Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.”

Suffering is a universal reality that all of us experience; we cannot escape it, nor would we want to. For out of the mud of suffering blooms the flowers of joy, empathy, resolve, fortitude, and love.

Look to the actions of Christ.

Emulate the actions of Christ.

And suffer well.