Suffering and diminishment are not the greatest of evils but are normal ingredients in life, especially in old age. They are to be expected as elements of a full human existence.
Well into my 90th year I have been able to work productively. As I become increasingly paralyzed and unable to speak, I can identify with the many paralytics and mute persons in the Gospels, grateful for the loving and skillful care I receive and for the hope of everlasting life in Christ. If the Lord now calls me to a period of weakness, I know well that his power can be made perfect in infirmity. “Blessed be the name of the Lord!”
As the challenge mounts in Australia to oppose a growing culture of death words like these articulate powerful truth.
HT: Chris Castaldo.
mgpcpastor's blog 
Generally a good comment, although the sentence, “They are to be expected as elements of a full human existence,” is either an unfortunate choice of words [unlikely], or reflects a Roman Catholic view of suffering as somehow good redemptive. “Suffering and diminishment” are consequences of the fall. In THAT sense they elements of human existence, but not a truly full human existence. Christ came to bring us the true FULL human existence, and that is free of suffering and diminishment. Of course, God can bring good through suffering, but that is not the same thing.
Thanks for the counterpoint.
I accept the ambiguity which you’ve identified in the quote, and given the source agree with your concern.
Having considered that before posting, it does express a sentiment that is can be translated into a biblical and evangelical affirmation of the breadth of human life.
Living in consequence of the fall is the normative experience of humanity.
We can consider what would have been the norm before the fall, and what will be the norm in a new creation, but for now fallenness impacts upon human life in a variety of ways.
Even for those redeemed in Christ suffering is a normative part of life until he returns.
This suffering is non-redemptive, but is an identifying characteristic with Christ and his suffering.
Suffering and diminishment should point us toward God’s redemptive work, instead fallen humans seek ways to avoid suffering and diminishment, even to the point of ending their own lives to project some form of mastery over these conditions.