“Dear brothers and sisters, in our prayer we should look more often at how, in the events of our own lives, the Lord has protected, guided and helped us, and we should praise Him for all He has done and does for us. We should be more attentive to the good things the Lord gives to us. We are always attentive to problems and to difficulties, and we are almost unwilling to perceive that there are beautiful things that come from the Lord.” (Pope Benedict XVI, October 12, 2011)
During my 13 years of priesthood, I have accompanied many souls through their “problems and difficulties.” It has been beautiful to witness their spiritual growth and inner peace when they embraced these trials with faith, love and trust in Christ. There is always a great calm after a great storm and gold can only be purified and refined in the fire. Take time to thank God for all the times he “protected, guided, and helped you” through your personal difficulties…we all have our crosses, but his loving presence can sweeten and lessen the burden.
