[annalex]

Those in purgation know they are saved and that their purging is for their good. I think they are joyful in their loss.

"Joyful in the loss" still implies that they'd rather not be there. It is very much like an illness in natural life: it is something that often comes as a tool of our sanctification, but still you pray for healing and ask others to pray for your healing.

[Mad Dawg]

Oh yeah. I was thinking the other day about how one feels about pain when, say, it's post-op and you know you're getting better as opposed to when it's some problem. They're both pain, but post op pain is a lot easier to take because of the hope.

Still, as you say, it would be better not to suffer. But, you know, the little I gave up to be Catholic? No PROBLEM! Income and status are (naughty word) compared to this. Still, I could use the income.... :-)