Taking A Beating

Longsuffering is one of the most significant virtues taught by the Catholic church. Beyond the body of Christ, having patience to withstand any significant amount of pain inflicted by others will earn you the respect of those around, and may be the most underrated of al the virtues known to us. Yet because it is underrated, it also suffers from the danger of being constantly overlooked.

Some of us have become so accustomed to it that we don't appreciate how extraordinary a feat it is to go through an extended trial and come out of it. This is especially true for those born in War Ridden or Underdeveloped Countries who have to figure out a path for themselves through a host of regular trials.

While the bulk of us are cool with a challenging period, the length is really all that matters. Even if it is called 'longsuffering', some challenges tend to overstay their welcome, and overpower their owners. Of course extended exposure can lead to unimaginable mental and physical damage.

My point is that we shouldn't take too much pride in our abilities to withstand harsh conditions when they obviously do some damage to us if left unchecked. When going through tough times, even when the circumstances are sometimes beyond our control, we are still obligated to look for a way out.