For then, the very hardship, and the sorrow, and the…
““For then, the very hardship, and the sorrow, and the blindness, and the sin I have beheld and been ready to weep over — yea, all the anguish of the children of men, which sometimes wraps me round like sudden darkness — I can bear with a willing pain, as if I was sharing the Redeemer’s cross. For I feel it, I feel it — infinite love is suffering too — yea, in the fulness of knowledge it suffers, it yearns, it mourns; and that is a blind self-seeking which wants to be freed from the sorrow wherewith the whole creation groaneth and travaileth. Surely it is not true blessedness to be free from sorrow, while there is sorrow and sin in the world: sorrow is then a part of love, and love does not seek to throw it off. It is not the spirit only that tells me this — I see it in the whole work and word of the Gospel. Is there not pleading in heaven? Is not the Man of Sorrows there in that crucified body wherewith he ascended? And is He not one with the Infinite Love itself — as our love is one with our sorrow?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage reflects that deep love and divine compassion include suffering, and that sorrow is an integral part of love and spiritual growth.
In simple terms: Love includes suffering; sorrow is part of love.
Key Takeaway
Embrace sorrow as part of love.
Themes
suffering
love
spirituality
compassion
theology
Mood
reflective
solemn
hopeful
Type
theological
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- grieving loss
- caring for the sick
- personal spiritual reflection
- supporting others in pain
Key Concepts
Divine love
redemptive suffering
theodicy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing sorrow as part of love change your response to pain?
- Can you find purpose in suffering?
A Different Perspective
Suffering may overwhelm and lead to despair if not balanced with hope.