My Idea of Suffering

I used to think that the more suffering one endured, the more elevated one could become. I was taught that God had a suffering heart. If I could suffer I could get closer to God.

I used to pray that God would increase the suffering in my life. If I endured more, God would endure less.

But I know God differently now and have a different understanding about suffering. I have Jesus to thank for this.

Now I believe that God is good and perfect and while He/She desires us to be closer to His/Her heart, He/She doesn't suffer as a result of that pure desire.

I now believe that suffering is the result of pain that is longstanding.

Then what creates pain?

The answer to that is sin. Sin is any action that is unloving.

I no longer pray for suffering.