What did NOT happen when Our Lord suffered

Our Lord suffered, yes.  He felt pain: emotional, spiritual, and physical, to an intensity we can never imagine, certainly this side of eternity, and maybe ever. 

But, it is important to note what did NOT happen when Our Lord suffered: 

He did not lose his focus.

He did not lose control of his emotions. 

He did not lose his command of the situation. 

He did not lose his perspective. 

He did not lose his equilibrium.

He did not lose his sense of purpose. 

He did not lose his patience.

He did not lose his fortitude.

He did not lose his desire to pray.

He did not lose his desire for souls.

He did not lose his peace.

He did not lose his faith. 

He did not lose his trust.

He did not lose his hope.

He did not lose his joy.

He did not lose his love. 

Often when we suffer, we lose some or all of the above.  And it is OK if we are not at the level Our Lord is when suffering comes our way.  

But we CAN hope that as we grow in the spiritual life, we can become more and more like Him in our own sufferings, our own participation in His.  It should give us hope, especially as we grow older, that even though there is suffering throughout life, that that suffering does not have to rob us of the many gifts God gives us, and we can still experience the fruits of those gifts, even in the midst of the greatest pains life throws our way. 

As we begin Lent, let us look to Our Lord, as a model yes, but more importantly, as a source of grace for handling suffering in our own lives.