How to Suffer Well (feat. Lisa Cotter)

[@christinasteiger388]

On behalf of all chronic illness patients and all who endure tremendous suffering, thank you so much for this!

[@Saturns48]

Thank you for your comment it means a lot.❤

[@LeslieSunshine17]

Amen. I needed this today!

[@angelaosborn6722]

Thank you. Prayers for you too. 🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@aweshucks-natalie4319]

Yes, Amen!

[@MHester-m3f]

I now need this every day. Thanks!

[@gholg8074]

These past few weeks I've been teaching my son (10 year old) to offer everything bad or annoying that happens to him to God, for whatever intention he wants. And my God is he taking it to heart and putting it to good use...

[@nonoyyonon8228]

I have chronic severe depression with insomnia and anxiety for 16 years bur still fighting through prayers.

[@nickmeyring7888]

Praying for you

[@suegz139]

God help you through it 🙏

[@Alma.-]

In my prayers

[@rafaelcasillasgonzalez1089]

God Bless you! In my prayers

[@keithemert]

My struggles seem so small compared to yours. You inspire me with your fortitude

[@christinebravomom5711]

I have been so grateful for St. Paul's thorn. I didn't get the "choose joy" guilt trip, but the "if you had faith, you'd be healed" guilt trip.

[@77thTrombone]

The "if you had faith" thing is malignant fundamentalism that doesn't hold up in the tests of life. That logic would conclude that everyone that gets killed in war & accidents does so because of their lack of faith. Them "St Paul thorns" are quite the nuisance, aren't they?

[@margokupelian344]

@@77thTrombone I think you’re trying to rationalize God’s ways of treating his children. God’s ways are not our ways. I personally have a mild depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue. I used to pray to God for healing but not anymore. I opened the Bible randomly asking God to talk to me and God talked to me in the same passage that he talked to Paul about His grace being sufficient for him. This was repeated three times and I understood that this is God’s will for me. After listening to this video I also understood that I need to learn to RECEIVE His grace and His love for me according to His ways.

[@77thTrombone]

@@margokupelian344 I don't think we disagree.

[@curlyg3gs236]

This is very timely...we just lost another pregnancy for the 3rd time yesterday, 8wks3days... I am not in a peaceful state right now but I wasn't the same person during the 1st & 2nd pregnancy when I toss away our altar, remove any religious items. I have kept the Rosary close at hand because this is the only weapon I have to resist mental illness, depression, anxiety and SUICIDE. But pls anyone reading this, include us in your prayers. Thank you for sharing Chiara's journey to us.

[@reynadelacruz5851]

Praying for you ❤❤❤

[@kwkw5711]

Dear father have mercy on curly in this dark and difficult time. Be close to her and her family. Bring her the support and friendship and medical support she needs at this time.

[@danielallanos]

Praying for you

[@maryjobeggs4473]

Praying for you & your family. May Chiara intercede for you to obtain the strength & grace you need during this difficult time.

[@parysethibodeau9474]

May you feel the love of our Lord and May you receive strength from all who are praying for you 🙏 stay strong and God bless you in your grief during this difficult journey ✝️🕊💙

[@samanthaciezczak2629]

This was so needed today! As a stay at home mom I struggle so much. I love being with my children but was not prepared how isolating it is. Sometimes I feel like a zombie and I'm just like why can't I choose joy? This is a beautiful reminder that I should enjoy the moments. I want to be a joyful mother and show my children about the beauty in the world that God gives us no matter how dark it may seem. Thank you 💖🕊️🙏

[@dianalujan5754]

I’m right there with you!💕

[@vcas-ag1998]

💗 ... I feel you & hear you will pray for you. Thank you for sharing, it helps to not feel like I'm the only who feels / thinks this way. Is there anything that has helped you in particular?

[@Ninimarie282]

I feel this too when I’m home with little ones. Praying for you ❤️

[@samanthaciezczak2629]

@@vcas-ag1998 definitely adoration, confession sometimes once a week or every other week, mass. I love to write so journaling is a strong outlet for me. I will pray for you as well 💞🙏❤️ What helps you?

[@samanthaciezczak2629]

@@dianalujan5754 thank you 💖 and with you ❤️

[@drcraiglowe3017]

Suffering is difficult. It means we are getting closer to God. I started going deep into the divine will and Satan came after me with many attacks trying to get me to abandon my faith, but I went deeper

[@kupkake6516]

My take is this. Suffering often does come from Satan And does not necessarily mean we are getting closer to God. BUT we can join our suffering with the sufferings of Jesus which will bring us closer to Him. So I see suffering as an opportunity to bring something good out of something negative. Periods of suffering are also times when we can receive much grace from God. He is always there to comfort and strengthen us.

[@kupkake6516]

I’m very sorry for what you have or are going through. That must make it terribly hard to endure. I will pray that you get relief.

[@mattberg916]

@@Roman-Labrador suffering is all about how we handle it. These words may seem ridiculous but it's true. Turn it all over to the Father. I have some suffering of my own that I assume I will have until my death and it can be overwhelming and make you miserable but endure it with love of Jesus, for the glory and praise of the Holy Trinity and the salvation of souls. Saying these words is very easy, living these words is not. Suffering now is far better than suffering for eternity. We are not necessarily here to be happy, we are here to get to Heaven and help whoever we can to do the same along the way. I will be praying for you, please pray for my loved ones.

[@AS-tz3gv]

@@Roman-Labrador suffering is so hard

[@nickmeyring7888]

I am suffering now so please pray for me

[@vaseman3639]

🙏

[@adrianapereira689]

Praying for you Nick, please pray for my friend Sylvia

[@nickmeyring7888]

Thanks everyone, you bet!praying for you all

[@cslewis1404]

Praying for you

[@angelaosborn6722]

🙏🙏🙏📿🕊

[@LeslieSunshine17]

I am dealing with chronic illness, and recent job loss. I so needed to see this message. Have watched it 5 times already. Thank You and Blessings🙏

[@Loweisme]

I struggle with chronic pain, and with the passage of time, more burdens have been placed upon my already heavy cross, making it too hard to carry on my own and feeling like He isn't helping me to carry it either. Many days have been spent crying, confused and wondering why I don't feel His presence and comfort, wondering if I have been rejecting the graces He has been sending me. I've come to believe that it's all part of the suffering. All the things I ask for deal with less suffering, and at the present moment, that is not His will for me. It's hard to deal with, but the one thing I've not done, is to not to give up believing in the only source of my hope...Jesus Christ and the intercession of our Holy Mother. He will bring my misery to an end, either here or in my eternal dwelling. If all I can pray on any given day is the Jesus prayer, I know He understands. I've been made to give up a lot of worldly blessings, but if I give up on Him, I really will have nothing.

[@vcas-ag1998]

💗 ... I feel you & hear you & will pray for you. Thank you for sharing, it helps to not feel like I'm the only who feels / thinks this way.

[@angelaosborn6722]

I so understand. Many prayers, always. My crosses are written above. 🙏🙏🙏🕊📿

[@mayelaz5560]

I pray for you Cindy Lowe. May you feel our Lords comforting presence and Love.

[@eleanorhouston223]

Thank you, Cindy You are showing great faith and courage in the Lord..God has promised He would never leave or abandon us. I pray He will give you His Peace and Joy, Amen 🙏

[@patricialeonard1309]

how are u doing now? I relate to this a ton

[@StoryTimeWithMissSam]

I needed this. Health issue after health issue, struggling with Jesus & trusting Him.

[@EasrterRising1fan]

I love the story of Chiara, I look up to her.

[@ryanmaiden3244]

This touched me so deeply, I’m so grateful for those who are truly trusting in God. It inspires me to be strong when I’m weak, and to seek Him out for strength.

[@AscensionPresents]

We are so glad that you enjoyed it, Ryan!

[@mday0423]

This is what I need today. Thanks and Praise God for this. Thank you Miss Lisa for sharing. God is so gracious! AMEN🙏

[@jessegonsalves5412]

Was excellent. Ngl shed a little tear I think because she knew the preciousness of the unborn child in her womb and people these days treat unborn children like garbage. Such a contrast

[@jopettuason3717]

it's like i have a sister who sat me down for dialogue and all I received was love and no judgment. thank you, whoever you are.

[@jurgitamataciunaite2437]

I would love so much to abandon myself in the arms of our Lord and receive His graces. But I’m so scared to let all the control go. I pray the Holy Spirit to fill me with His gifts ❤

[@MoooingDragon]

I hope this helps, but we really never have control, although we need to take care of our life responsibilities. Once we can internalize this lack of control, there is true freedom. I learned this by my wife's chronic illnesses.

[@mbtvalli]

Check out the Litany of Trust.

[@ermatellez811]

I too find myself on your situation....praying that I am able recieve the Holy Spirit!!! Prayers for you🙏🙏🙏

[@77thTrombone]

"My love is enough." This is what I am told. ✝️🙏☦️

[@MatrixRefugee]

I've seen people go the "Oh, God will provide" route and seen their family torn apart by poorly managed mental illness and financial want. I'm honestly terrified of ending up that way. I'm in a similar place, where I am terrified I will not have the financial resources to sustain my disabled self. I don't want to end up destitute and on the street. Disabled women do not thrive while living without a roof over their head, and I'm scared witless that I could end up this way. I'm afraid if I let go and let God provide, I will end up even more broken than I already am by a world that seems to exist only to grind the fragile to dust. There is a part of me that wants to sucker punch God for making me this way and letting the world stomp all over people like me.

[@michelleo7501]

Learning how to offer up & unite my physical suffering to Christ's and for others like us has been my blessing, although still a work in progress. God bless!

[@anujose8493]

This is great! I also struggle with takimg up my cross without complaining. I wish to be more joyous in doing so 😊

[@stephaniemartinez327]

Me too..🙏

[@snowwhite4680]

SAME

[@WarriorKnitter]

I've tried "choosing joy," too and I agree. Unless God gives it and you cooperate with it, it's not going to happen. For a long, long time I didn't think I had any joy even though I kept trying to get it. But I had true peace, deep in my heart and soul. I finally realized that itself, is a joy. A quiet joy that is deep and lasting. Thanks for this video which helped me again to realize that.

[@jenniferkyere8904]

Beautiful and humbling. True submission and acceptance of the will of the Lord. I will meditate on “St. Paul’s thorn” and pray that all of us that call ourselves followers of Christ, will truly come to believe and accept His never ending grace. Thank you Lisa 🙏🏾

[@josephmartin6219]

Having peace, joy amidst great suffering is a miracle on its own. Thank you Lisa for these words of encouragement.

[@MrsScott-bx8sb]

I needed this. So much is so troublesome. So much is broken, needs repair, is difficult, worrisome, busy, has to be paid, needs attention....I am exhausted, in pain, and overwhelmed.

[@kwkw5711]

Dear father. Please please walk by the side of Mrs Scott and support her in her suffering. Give her strength and hope in her difficulties

[@rafaelcasillasgonzalez1089]

You put me in tears! Thank you Lisa and praise be The Lord for this video. God Bless!

[@gailwedgeworth9821]

Wow I really needed to hear that. I love God so much, but I have been on a roller coaster for three years, blessings but a lot of heavy lifting in my life, caring for family with cancer, doing more and more and family problems that were big, bigger than me. I am tired. In my exhaustion, I was asking myself, this moment the same question. I know I am so very blessed, but I am struggling so hard, and so, as our gracious Father does, you dropped into my virtual world, with a message for me. Thanks to you and to God, so I guess I will pull my boots on at 5:36 AM but today, I will relax into God's grace and let him guide me through the days. Peace be with you

[@xrisc131]

Wow - God led me here. It is what I needed to hear right now. Peace be with you.

[@peg7997]

I’m now living totally alone, no one calls, no one visits. I just sit and stare at my 4 walls in my apt. all day long. When I do go out it’s only for Mass, Adoration and confession. I say my rosary, listen to uplifting videos, and read scripture at times. I literally don’t talk to a soul for days & days on end. This is what my life has come to. I ask myself “why”, how has this happened? It’s not good at all to live like this especially when you suffer from chronic depression but I’m telling you it is by the Gods Grace that I have not fallen into deep depression over this. I’m extremely lonely, the lack of trust has withered. Going through this is a lot of suffering which I offer up to the souls in purgatory. I don’t know how much longer this will go on, I ALWAYS go to God to get me through every minute of the day. I have to have Joy, why God is letting this happen I don’t know but He is All Love and this is what I keep reminding myself. I have to.

[@kwkw5711]

Dear father send peg companions. Show her were to go to find assistance and friendship. Bless her life and draw close to her. Amen.

[@hopecreekranch365]

Stop struggling…I needed to hear that deeply and profoundly.

[@3Diva]

Thank you for this. This message is truly a gift and a comfort. And to anyone reading this: Please know that you are important, you have value beyond earthly measure, and you are loved completely.

[@dalton7425]

I'm needing to surrender a lot today, I will do my homework and let God do his with me. I pray for the power to carry out his strength.

[@truegirl2anna]

Wow…what a beautiful example of suffering! Great video and what a passionate explanation of Chiara’s story!!

[@honeykai8274]

This is much needed! My feet was killing me this weekend while I was serving the lord at a church event. And I felt confused that God allowed me physically pain when I was trying to serve him.

[@drewgl99]

Excellent. I think God puts our salvation ahead of our happiness. "No cross, no crown". (My personal pet peeve is the "Blessed" t-shirt worn by people who never had a hard day in their lives. I mean, are they bragging?)

[@noamigreblo9503]

Thank you so much, this came as an answer to my prayers right now... I'm currently really struggling to finish my master's thesis and see no way of being able to finish on my own. I have been in so much anxiety and stress lately and really feel like I have just lost joy and let so much sorrow into my life. I see no meaning my studies and just a heap of vain toil. Thank you for sharing Chiara'd beautiful testimony and reminding us to simply be open to receiving from the Father. Also, any prayers would really be appreciated 🙏 God bless everyone and if you're having a hard time, know that you're not alone. ❤️

[@julialopes5054]

The thing is learning not to trust on our own understandings, but in the Lord that watches over us ❤️

[@klaranemcova7932]

I pray for peace!

[@wreloise1]

Definitely has to come from THE LORD….it seems Unbelievably UNBearable ….Praise to ABBA FATHER for the grace available for His Children!!🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️

[@blujeans9462]

I am so sorry for your loss of your friend. What an incredible - but sad - story. I hope her daughter and husband are doing well. God bless.

[@liam.7149]

I'm not crying, you are!

[@alciraproenza-collazo]

God's perfect timing!

[@sibergirl]

Thank you so much.

[@californiamom4913]

I’ll admit I struggle greatly with suffering well 💔 I’ve taken up daily prayer + rosary and fasting for a while now to help with this. However, I’m afraid I’ll never reach this level of sainthood 🙏🏼

[@elizabetharr8551]

Turn to St Therese of Lisieux! She encourages us not to be afraid even if we are very little, because God wants to take care of us and bring us home.

[@californiamom4913]

@@elizabetharr8551 thank you

[@mattberg916]

Our level of sainthood is less important than what we doing to attain it. Troubled soul and contrite heart is the goal. I'll be praying for you, please pray for my loved ones

[@maramara721]

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this. I went through the same disconnect after my first, "What is wrong with me? Why i can't choose joy?!" It perpetuated ppd for me...and I came to a similar conclusion, and I wish more would talk about this concept. It is not always as easy as simply "choosing" joy....but I understood that Joy is a GIFT....I can CULTIVATE the soil to hopefully receive JOY...but that i could not force it....again, thank you 🙏

[@joolz5747]

I would say to surrender and trust in the Lord. Not just receiving but ACCEPTING! Everything! This faith filled person is rare. Gianna was the same. This takes a unique person.

[@chomperthefirst533]

Live and receive joy!

[@sweettoothmarie7304]

God's grace!!!🙏

[@angelaosborn6722]

I have Trigeminal Neuralgia and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia severe pain attacks almost every day at different times and levels, especially when the weather changes like big barometric pressure changes and big temperature changes too. It is the most severe pain I've ever had. Had 2 mvd brain surgeries to battle battle the severe pain of these cranial nerve injuries and illness. Also have Degenerative Joint disease and Anxiety & have had very many many joint surgeries for this too. But i couldn't handle all this without having God, Jesus, & the Holy Spirit, & Mary & angels & saints in my life. 🙏🙏🙏📿🕊🌸

[@AS-tz3gv]

I am so sorry and will pray for you.

[@kwkw5711]

Thank you for your testimony

[@angelaosborn6722]

@@AS-tz3gv thank you for your prayers

[@angelaosborn6722]

@@kwkw5711 thank you

[@eyesofamessenger]

Wow... 😭😭 such a beautiful testimony of the grace of God

[@IAmJeka]

First of all thank you for sharing this beautiful story. What if this suffering is from your own failure. If you just feel like you keep failing at what you do. I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t resent anything from life nor God. He’s so good to me. I just keep messing up and I’m struggling and I’m embarrassed.

[@lowcarblynn]

I made the decision to choose joy!!! 🎉 It’s what God wants and he will work it out!! 🎉 God is joy!! 🎉

[@martageorge2307]

God bless you lady for such amazing Faith 🙏

[@doctorjenny]

Thank you ! This really spoke to me as one with chronic pain. I really pray for that grace..to give this to the Lord.

[@mraemartinez]

Humbling. Perfect for June...El Sagrat0 Corazon de Jesus Month. Thank you!

[@HurricaneFluttershy]

I am struggling. I want this peace and what the Lord desire for my life. But how do I receive? I have trouble understanding what this means and how this feels. And how to ask. It still feels like I am missing something

[@mayelaz5560]

I pray for you. May you be blessed with the joy and peace and love that only the Holy Spirit can grant us.

[@humberto4344]

So beautiful! Thank you Lisa!

[@bengcalma-alcazaren1844]

Such a beautiful message.

[@zoraidaiglesias934]

Thank you for sharing. Glory be to God

[@janeclark7060]

Thank you! I’m 36 days post surgery, and “my timetable” is far behind! This is what I needed to hear!

[@sandrawambui5325]

I love this

[@dorothyschreiner6052]

LOVE THE MESSEGE, THANKS!

[@jesusgirl3256]

Thank you for allowing the Lord to speak through you

[@seans.131]

"Funny thing, but you can sing it with a cry in your voice And before you know it, get to feeling good You simply got no choice" 🎵

[@fabianpulido5830]

God is so good. Peanut I love you so much.

[@chomperthefirst533]

I had to let go of the idea that I just had to choose it and grasp the fact that I had to receive his grace.

[@seekerofsense]

Thanks

[@marystenson2852]

Thank you very much,beautiful insights

[@stronginthesaddle]

Thank you for sharing that story.

[@AC-gm6bq]

Lovely. Thanks for sharing. Means a lot. God bless you and everyone.

[@Sarah-mq5qe]

Just what I needed to hear now. Thank you and God bless✨

[@AscensionPresents]

We are so glad that you found this helpful, Sarah!

[@JENNIEG04]

I really needed to hear this today. Thank you and God bless

[@katereeves7208]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

[@antoniopioavallone1137]

Thank you

[@amenamen5204]

This is hard concept to fully understand, thanks for covering it ❤❤

[@catholicfemininity2126]

Suffering neck pains and fleas please pray that God takes this away, I am miserable.

[@christiandpaul631]

I am in constant pain that goes from bad to holy-crp and i have not suffered well. Quite frankly, if a normal person woke up one day with this they would call an ambulance and go to a hospital emergency room. I am ashamed that i have wasted it and did not use it for any good it could have done. I now just live in resignation. I don't even ask any more.

[@debbiefurtado9780]

Dear Lord, Please give my husband and myself joy during our suffering with this illness. Thank you. Jesus, I trust in you.

[@arianamansouri9275]

Wow needed this tonight!

[@pamelahewitt1892]

Amen

[@maudefalcone6025]

That was lovely Thank you :)

[@AscensionPresents]

We are so glad that you enjoyed it, Maude!

[@Martha_DC]

I am really struggling at the moment, nothing major, but i am feeling hatred toward the everyday things of family life. The constant lack of sleep that comes with 4 kids under 7 years old. Having to have clothes ready for them the next day. Having to think of everything to keep the family afloat. Cleaning, cooking, running errands... the list just goes on and on. I am really hating it all. I have tried to spend more time in front of the blessed sacrament but it feels like things are getting worse. And now i literally have a pain in my side that makes everyting harder. How in the world do i receive grace???? I dont feel any different in trying to spend more time in prayer. I can see the saints say they have peace in sufferng but seriously how?????? How do i receive that grace??? If i receive that grace am i meant to feel better? Because honestly when i started more adoration time me general emotions went to a downward spiral😞😞

[@christiandpaul631]

Paul does not say what the wound was but church scholars have surmised that it was a sort of stigmata as the wound in the side of Jesus where the soldier pierced Him with the lance to check that He was dead. Paul asked many times to take the wound away but accepted it.

[@unbornhumanrights]

Inspiring, thank you!

[@ActiveAdvocate1]

Choose joy. Choose God. Same thing.

[@anabelenh2361]

Lord you are very funny. I was just talking about this with my spiritual director

[@georgiacopperhead4947]

The wound is where the light gets in🤍🌷🤍

[@cozyhomemakingvibes]

I can’t wait to read this book ❤

[@stevenmichaelmaryturk4951]

Amazing! Thank you.

[@carolinax519]

casually sobbing 🙏

[@Monaghan3000]

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and in fine according to St. Thomas Aquinas it is a fruit of the virtue of charity. Charity is a theological virtue, and thus a virtue God bestows by grace. It is something we must ask for, and not something we can practice into reality, which is why it is critical for salvation to make frequent and deliberate acts of faith, hope, and charity in life. And to recieve this grace, we must be conformed to Christ, which means embracing one's cross in order to be conformed to His will.

[@tamarajohll5735]

I am gonna go get my boots and get to work, thanks for the motivation, Lisa. I usually do the opposite of what is put in front of me? Why?

[@tamarajohll5735]

Plus do you really care?

[@godsstrength7129]

Wow amazing video. I was just watching a debate between Conservative commentator Michael Knowles and a pro choice woman Victoria Hammet and she kept saying how being pregnant increases likelihood of disease and is difficult so she should be able to kill the baby. It’s saddening to hear people willingly neglect the Gifts from God in pursuit of personal happiness. We don’t know what we have until it’s taken away.

[@lucia4022]

I would like to know what the picture behind you is about... misteries of the Rosary? Thank-you

[@unbornhumanrights]

Very hel

[@catholicfemininity2126]

I'm suffering injustice, a reputable company sent me a partial package scamming me out of $75 and have been trying to contact the business and bank but the disputes didn't work.....however, I am trying to surrender to God, and who knows... maybe that money that was taken from me can amount to rewards in Heaven. I still have to keep offering up temptations to be vengeful or hateful and bitter and attached to money, negative feelings and fear.... please pray for me. Thanks.

[@frankk.777]

Great video, Thanks a lot! What is the name of the book?

[@Glory-to-God.]

Can we take pain medication to avoid suffering? All the sufferings we experience must have been at least allowed by God if not willed by him or it couldn't have happened. Does doing anyway to avoid the suffering mean we are doing something against God’s will? 🙏

[@juliepuhr9806]

So when prayers go unanswered, might we hear what God said to Paul…”My grace is sufficient….”…how do we know if we should persevere in prayer or just figure that God is saying no

[@kwkw5711]

Learn to listen to what is being said Practice being still and quiet and focused on God so you can hear his reply. Understand a no is a yes to something better

[@annasahlstrom6109]

I seriously can't do that. I'm way too entitled to what I want and how things should be. I'm stuck in the "God helps those that help themselves" mode.

[@AJKPenguin]

"Peace I give you, Peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives". . .and then He breathed on them, "Receive the Holy Spirit". Joy and Peace of Christ certainly eclipses happiness. We are far from being happy, especially while we are trudging through the Valley of Death, on Calvary Road, or in a storm on the water. We are far from happy in seeing all the bills pile up, the diagnosis and prognosis of chronic illness announced, And yet, while the suffering is abundant, we are given great Grace, if only I, if you accept the gift. And that, itself, may require us to ask Him, "Jesus, in Your Name, may the Father allow me to receive the Grace just to be able to embrace the Cross and receive Your Promises, to receive the Joy that Completes, the Peace you leave with us. Amen."

[@joolz5747]

Sounds like St.Gianna Baretta Mola.