I loved what littleflower said about joining her cross to the Cross of Christ and there being merit in suffering. It’s the Paschal Mystery, that if we have died with Christ, we rise with Christ to new glory. It still is not always easy for me to accept that I might go through dark, hard times. But always Jesus is there for me, and he shows me how my suffering can be efficacious, if I have the right attitude. God bless you!