I included this header because it reminded me of a book I have been reading about the Sermon on the Mount. This famous sermon, given by Jesus, beginning with what we now call the Beatitudes, gave us his teachings on how we should live our lives and who among us are the "favored" ones in the eyes of heaven.
It is commonly misunderstood that in order to be favored in heaven, you must fit into the categories Jesus described; the lowly, the poor in spirit, etc. These are words of comfort to describe the MANY people in Jesus time who were seen by the world around them as unfavored by God in a hard world. If you were suffering, you must have done something to anger God which caused that suffering.
Jesus says to his followers, no, the suffering are blessed as well. They are not disfavored by God.
If you ever look at the Beatitudes and think, "I should have a poorer spirit in order to get into heaven," please stop. Be unabashedly joyful and gracious when you feel the need. You are also blessed in the eyes of God!