Amber VanVickle on Ways to Navigate Through Suffering

"In the midst of suffering and heartache, it is hard to imagine that one will come out better on the other side. Suffering, like many things in life, has dichotomous power: power to enslave and power to liberate; the power to dispirit and the power to uplift; the power to harden and the power to soften; the power to destroy and the power to make new.

"Yes, suffering, if we let it, can contort us into someone unrecognizable - someone hard, isolated and bitter. However, with Christ, suffering can rebuild us anew, purify us, and break our hearts open to the love of God and others. Sometimes on the road, we flirt with both, the good and the ugly, and I've found that's okay. I've learned coping with heartache and suffering is a minute-by-minute, day-by-day endeavor with hills and valleys, breakthroughs and setbacks. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Amber VanVickle reflected on a few things that, "in the midst of great grief, [helped her keep her] head above water and . . .  day after day to come out on the other side anew."

To access Ms. VanVickle's complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Amber VanVickle: 5 Ways to Navigate Through Your Suffering (28 JUN 18)