This may sound crazy, but I often say that the martyrs have it easy… at least easier than the loved ones they leave behind. You see, their suffering is brief, but their loved ones often suffer the resulting agony for years to come.
This calls to mind the story of Rami and Pauline, who operated a Christian bookstore in the Gaza Strip. One day, on his way home from work, Rami was ambushed and killed by a group of Muslim extremists. Grieving the loss of her husband and newly forced into the role of breadwinner, Pauline felt like she was suffocating.
Over time, God began to work a miracle in her heart to the point where she could forgive her husband’s murderers. From a worldly perspective, it looked like her life had crumbled; but over time, she was able to thank God for her trials. May we all have the faith to live like that!