Show Notes

Episode 71. Suffering with Sanity & Sanctity

Episode 71. Suffering with Sanity & Sanctity

"...we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."
~ Romans 5:3-5

How are Christians supposed to respond to suffering?
How do I know if I'm suffering well?
How do I know whether I should avoid or accept a specific kind of suffering?

In episode 71 of This Whole Life, hosts Kenna and Pat Millea are joined by their good friend, Fr. Nathan LaLiberte, to delve into the complex topic of suffering from both a faith-based and psychological perspective. They explore the idea that suffering is not just to be avoided but can be a path to personal growth, connection with God, and redemption. Fr. Nathan shares insights from his experience and studies, highlighting how pain can signal areas for growth and conversion. The conversation is grounded on the Christian ethos of finding purpose in suffering, and includes sound psychological principles like those of Alfred Adler and Viktor Frankl. They also discuss the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and the virtue of prudence as essential tools in discernment, helping listeners navigate when to accept suffering and when to seek change. Join them for a thought-provoking exploration of suffering in the pursuit of sanity and sanctity.

Show Notes

  • The Lord permits suffering for many reasons; one of them is to allow for our growth & conversion

  • “Pain is the price of admission to a new life.”

  • There is an inexorable connection between suffering and change, conversion, & growth 

  • I can assess my relationship with suffering by the fruits of the Holy Spirit: Am I living a life marked by:

    • Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, chastity, & self-control?

  • “God, help the sorry saint.”

  • “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”

    • Matthew 11:28

  • “No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”

    • 1 Corinthians 10:13

  • “…yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.”

    • Galatians 2:20

I Wish You Pain by Andy Grammer

Wreck by Ben Rector

The context of Pat & Kenna’s “chocolate or poop?” references 😂😭

Challenge By Choice

Take stock of your suffering & entrust it to the Lord

  • Acknowledge your pain and somehow make an inventory of it: talk to a loved one or friend about it, detail it in a journal, record a video for yourself

  • Consider: How do I want to engage this suffering?

  • Is this a pain that I’m called to accept and endure, or a pain that I’m called to fight against and seek help for?

  • Take action! Either in carrying this cross with the Lord or seeking resources to help you battle against the particular suffering.

Reflection Questions

For personal reflection or group discussion

  1. What is one specific thing that stuck with you from this conversation?

  2. When have you experienced suffering in your life? What was that like for you?

  3. Has your suffering helped you to know Jesus better or has it challenged your faith?

  4. How has hardship helped you to grow, become stronger, and experience conversion?

  5. How do you discern whether to accept suffering in faith or to seek out resources to diminish the suffering?