Facing pain
Father,
The world is full of pain;
Each of us has a share;
For some it is a slight burden,
For others it is crushing.
But every Christian can turn it into a blessing
If he will seek the companionship of Christ
In his sufferings;
Then the pain becomes a new point
Of fellowship with Christ;
And even our suffering
Becomes part or the price
Of the world’s redemption
As we fill up what is left over
Of the suffering of Christ.
Pain does not then cease to be pain;
But it ceases to be barren pain;
And with fellowship with Christ
Upon the cross
We find new strength for bearing it
And even making it the means
By which our hearts are more fully
Cleansed of selfishness and grow
Towards perfect love.
Accomplish this in us through Christ our lord.
William Temple.