An Excerpt from the writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori
“Patient in Tribulation”

And patience hath a perfect work. It is by patience that we gain Heaven. This earth is a place where we can gain merit; therefore it is not a place of rest, but of labors and sufferings: and it is for this end that God leaves us here that by patience we may obtain the glory of Paradise. Everyone has to suffer in this world, but he who suffers with patience suffers less and saves his soul, while he who suffers with impatience suffers more and is lost. Our Lord does not send us crosses that we may be lost, as some impatient people say, but that thereby we may be saved and acquire more glory in Heaven. Sorrows, contradictions and all other tribulations, when accepted in patience, become the brightest jewels in our heavenly crown. Whenever, then, we are in affliction, let us console ourselves and thank God for it, since it is a sign that God wishes us to be saved, by chastising us in this life, where the chastisements are but slight and short, so as not to punish us in the next, where the chastisements are terrible and eternal. Woe to the sinner who is prosperous in this life! It is a sign that God has reserved for him eternal punishment. St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi says: “All sufferings, however great, become sweet when we look at Jesus on the Cross.” And St. Joseph Calasanctius: “He who cannot suffer for Jesus Christ, does not know how to gain Jesus Christ.” He, then, who loves Jesus Christ bears patiently all external crosses - sickness, pains, dishonor, loss of parents and friends; and all interior crosses - afflictions, weariness, temptations, and desolation of spirit, and bears them all in peace. On the other hand, he who is impatient and angry when in tribulation, only increases his suffering, and adds to his punishments in the next life.