Source: https://www.bertha-dudde.org/en/proclamation/0490

0490 Suffering as a proof of God's love....

June 30, 1938: Book 10

What do the people of the world strive for most.... They all try to make life as pleasant as possible for themselves and do not think about working for the salvation of their soul, and therefore life on earth will have to be made increasingly more difficult for them, otherwise they will never realise the purpose of it. Where the deity wants to love and instead has to use means which put the earthly child into a state of suffering, the human being often has reason to doubt the eternal deity and yet only his lack of understanding prevents him from recognizing this.... What would become of you humans if God did not use these means.... How could you ever be awakened to the sense of infinity, to the wise working and reigning of the eternal deity, if everything your heart desires were to be fulfilled for you on earth? This would never bring you closer to God in your hearts, you would only ever pay homage to the goods of the world.... and your souls would forever remain in the night of darkness. If your existence has proved to be deceptive according to your purpose, then you will seek the light of life elsewhere.... You need comfort and hope and seek these in infinity. And then help can also come to you from there, but you will never want to pay attention to it if earthly life grants you everything and satisfies you. To present suffering to man as a proof of love from the heavenly father is often a futile labour of love. He believes that love only has to express itself in happy signs and does not recognize the wise foresight of the lord, Who can judge the cause and effect of every event much better and therefore guides the fate of every person so infinitely wisely and lovingly in order to finally bring him to the place where he shall finally enjoy the glory and joy of heaven. Where no less than the lord Himself reveals Himself, there every doubt shall be eliminated and complete trust shall be placed in the lord.... and if the lord imposes suffering on you, then also recognize His great love in it, for otherwise you cannot be shaped according to His will.... And if you are unable to recognize it, then place your whole earthly life childlike trustingly into His hands and accept it as He offers it to you and believe that He, Who dwells above you, knows what is good for His children.... that He loves you and wants to lead you to eternal bliss....

Amen

Translated by Doris Boekers