Encouragement You Don't Want to Hear

How many times have we struggled in our situation, and the well intended words of others become more of a backhand rather than doing the good they intended? Most of the time we KNOW they meant to be helpful, but in the moment we are left bereft. Then, if it is someone we lean into when we are struggling, who do we turn to now?

Over the past several months my family has suffered job loss, death, sleeplessness, concerns with finances, and serious health issues. Depression is probably in there somewhere too, but we are so buried in the life events, we cant even see that grasping demon sucking the rest of our energy.

I have recently discovered the peace of just sitting in the church with God. If I take a slight detour on my way home from work I can stop at my home parish. My favorite place is at the tabernacle with Jesus. I start with a prayer of thanks, because there is so much to be thankful for despite the trials, and then I shut up and place myself firmly in his presence. Make no mistake. I have just spent the day praying to God asking him to help me with every little thing. By this point he is well aware I am having issues. Now it's his turn. I have to admit I have the attention span of a gnat, so I have to refocus multiple times in the 5 to 10 minutes I spend doing this. Gradually over time he has started leaving me signposts:

• God's will is not hidden somewhere "out there" in the situation I found my self; The situation was his will for me - J. Ciszek S.J.

• There are no secrets to life. All our good consists in Conformity to God.- St. Teresa of Avila

• Father, help me to accept that I am living in poverty of goodness, so that I may lean more heavily into you. -My take away from a recent retreat

• Love is simple. Look for what is best for others, and you will love with a sacrificial love like Christ. - Justin Fatica "You're Amazing"

The wounds are still there, but the joy Christ promises is at the core, supporting me in ways I never imagined. I walk away from the tabernacle still carrying my cross, but being brave enough to hand the solution and my fear over to the Lord.

I pray that you have the courage to come to Jesus with your heartache, ask for healing and help, and be willing to let go and do Gods will. It is not easy, but it is a healing for the soul that nothing else can touch.