Refusing To Suffer

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='tgoldson' timestamp='1297453860' post='2211414']
Word. What about allowing others to suffer? I sometimes wonder where the line should be drawn. I'm not talking about "euthanasia" or other forms of murder. I'm wondering about things like giving money to beggars on the corner, or paying off credit card debt for an irresponsible child. Could generosity lead to dependency? When is it better to allow someone else to suffer?
[/quote]
We need to distinguuish between being compassionate and enabling.
I think giving money to beggers is irresponsible, its better to give them food coupons, so you are not enabling drug or alcohol use. My daughter used to give McDonald certificates, social security info, welfare applications, and job applications out to baggers that she saw everyday.
If you pay off a bill for someone who wasted the money and ran up their bills you are not doing them any favors and keeping them from the natural consequences of their behavior, creating expectations, dependency, and stifling someone's possible growth. The only exception and a very painful one is if they have children who suffer from their behavior. Then you try to help the kids in spite of the parents.

[Sarah147]

In the words of the great Father Corapi: "No pain, no gain; No cross, no crown."

It is through suffering that we are purified and grow in unity with Jesus.

Naturally, it's distasteful in the beginning, but I hope, like the Saints, I can better come to appreciate it.

There was a French priest on EWTN, and he said that there is joy in suffering because there is love. (Of course, if there is love, if.)

Edited February 12, 2011 by JoyfulLife