Trust Even When All Is Not Well

These last few years have been difficult for many. It seems everyone I talk to is going through some sort of trial. Many feel they've come to the end of their rope. It may be financial difficulties, divorce, poor health, a death in the family, disappointment with teenagers, loneliness, relapse of addictions, and more.

The list keeps going, and the trials can be overwhelming. It's so easy to trust in God when all is well. When the world caves in around us, however, it represents a serious challenge.

How do we trust in such times? How do we handle the trials?

In the midst of her own difficulties, St. Faustina wrote:

When I see that the burden is beyond my strength, I do not consider or analyze or probe into it, but I run like a child to the Heart of Jesus and say only one [thing] to Him: "You can do all things." And then I keep silent, because I know that Jesus Himself will intervene in the matter, and, as for me, instead of tormenting myself, I use that time to love Him (Diary of St. Faustina, 1033).



Our lives as Christians require time for reflection on where we have been and where we want to go with our lives. We need to be mindful of how much our Lord loves us. We should also ponder our weaknesses, admit our faults, and rededicate our lives to God. The old saying, "If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there," rings so loud and true. Being focused on your goal does not mean your difficulties will go away. It means that we are not alone in facing them. It means that Jesus and Our Lady are walking on the path with us.

Have you ever felt you couldn't "take it" anymore, that you wanted your trials to end? Have you been at the end of your rope and discouraged because you felt you were not strong enough to endure anymore?

Saint Faustina knew where to seek consolation in such moments. She knew where to find the strength to persevere and continue the difficult trek. She wrote, "When great sufferings will cause my nature to tremble and my spiritual and physical strength [to] diminish, then I will hide myself deep in the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, silent as a dove, without complaint" (Diary, 957).

If you are in the midst of trial and turmoil, don't give up. Rather, "run the good race and fight the good fight," as St. Paul encourages us to do. Also, reflect on the words of St. Faustina: "O Wound of Mercy, Heart of Jesus, hide me in Your depths as a drop of your own blood, and do not let me out forever! Lock me in Your depths, and do You Yourself teach me to love You! Eternal Love, do You Yourself form my soul so that it may be made capable of returning Your love" (Diary, 1631).

Dr. Bryan Thatcher is the founder of Eucharistic Apostles of The Divine Mercy (EADM), an apostolate of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception.

Learn how to start a Divine Mercy cenacle in your area.

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