Via amor, Via pax, et Via crucis
Just like studying is for school, for some things there are certain ways we must go about doing something to be successful in attaining the desired end. When it comes to the Christian life, to neglect love, peace, and our crosses is to neglect the tasks that make it both truly Christian and successful so. At least it seems these are the main "moral" aspects, concepts proper to Christianity would be a different distinction. Often, we think of our crosses in isolation. When feeling that we are inexplicably and unjustifiably afflicted, without someone to commiserate with, we cannot help but also renounce our peace in a certain wholistic fight or flight, being defensive in all things. However, this is not the suffering God has given but the enemy. God also wills us to know that we are loved and that Christ who first suffered in all ways manifesting its grace-producing effect, is present amid the suffering and He is grace-producing for us.
Our first consideration is the fact that God's love is both omnipresent and omnipotent, and always, without fail, bestows upon us the blessings we need to stay the course and to be saved. This should be the first foundation of our peace. If we suffer it is because there is something in it that is pedagogical and another the efficient cause of our salvation. We should not be shocked by our sufferings, but rather should be encouraged by them in that God is providing what is necessary for our salvation, and further, that it reminds us of both what is at stake, and we are assured of being on the right path knowing the narrow path is not an easy path. One more way we should approach suffering is treating it as an opportunity that God has given us to be able to show our love for Him i.e. that we are not just fair-weather fans and soldiers prepared to die for the cause when victory is not guaranteed.
Our second consideration is that God's mercy spares us from the punishment that this world deserves. No sin can ever be undone as though it is a spelling mistake on a computer. It can be made up for in some ways, mitigated its impact in others, and accepted otherwise. This means that confession does not change any reality except your spiritual and as applicable, psychological reality. The truth here, is we deserve much worse than we are given. When we endure trials, let us be cognizant of God's faithfulness that allowed for there not to bring a worse and actually endurable trial. Further, it is important to remember how often we have sinned and forsaken God's faithfulness. Still more, we ought to acknowledge that Jesus not only was, Jesus, God, and took on flesh but suffered as though He had committed the worst sins imaginable. We must take solace in the fact we are not without a God that has not experienced and/or does not understand our suffering, even if He actually understood before, we took great lengths to show us how to do it well, reveal its meaning, etc. (Hebrews 4:15).
In conclusion, if we are to move forward in the spiritual life, we ought to be open to trusting God both when it is convenient and seemingly inconvenient. This way of life in this post we have called the Way of Love, The Way of Peace, and the Way of the Cross. The Christian life cannot be seen apart from these and thus one should not endeavor to experience any one of them apart from the others, i.e. the Christian life, love, peace, and the cross. The correct way of doing each most certainly must include the others. Very often, when we fail at incorporating them in this way, we are led to sin whether by choice, neglect, or fear and we do so in the midst of doubt. We cannot afford to lose our will to love, to not be disturbed by anything in our peace, and not to lay down our crosses even when we most want to. Still, the path to Christ is not through perfection, but toward it employing all that God has along the way (regardless of how we perceive it) and all that we have to give. We are wont to fail it is our nature, but we cannot afford to give up on the one hand, and we should want by virtue of our love to develop the best possible love.
How shall I will, O God, Thy good?
