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paralyzed; she did not know where to start to resolve her problems. She did not even know how to reach out to others or to ask for help. Jesus listened to her and counseled her tenderly “not to be discouraged,” to share all of her pain to Him, to regard Him as the Healer; as well as to follow His way of the cross, which is His way to making her holy, and His “way to Heaven” too: Even though your sufferings (are) very great, do not lose heart or give in to despondency…Tell me everything, be sincere in dealing with Me, reveal the wounds of your heart. I will heal them, and your suffering will become a source of sanctification. My child, do not be discouraged… Talk to Me simply, as a friend to a friend... True, my child, all that is painful. But, there is no way to heaven except the way of the Cross. I followed it first. You must learn that it is the shortest and surest way.” (Diary, #158): But even as God permits suffering, without comfort at times, He does not abandon an aching soul. He specially intervenes at critical moments to give consolation, if it were for the good of the soul and in accord with His will. He gives other grace too, such as one afternoon to Sr. Faustina in 1930. She wrote in her Diary, that at some point, she began extolling the “goodness” of God. She realized it while happily immersed in the great beauty of the garden and the lake nearby. Feeling inspired, she rightfully praised God, “Oh, how the infinitely good God pursues His people with goodness!” Then shortly, Jesus gently elevated her focus to the infinitely greater and eternal good beyond this world, while also acknowledging their nuptial kinship, “All this I created for you, My spouse; and know that all this beauty is nothing compared to what I have prepared for you in eternity” (Diary, #158). II B.4 “Suffering: It is how God Deals (or Disciplines) Those He Loves in a Special Way” 145 (Diary, # 1253-1254): Sr. Faustina wrote in her Diary that, at some point, while Fr. Sopocko was saying the Mass, at the Elevation of the Host at the Consecration, Sr. Faustina saw 145 Ibid., Faustina, Diary, # 96, 1253-1254. 59