The last few days have been rough. Not for myself, but for those around me. So many of my friends are carrying heavy crosses, but do you know what’s the one thing they all have in common? They each have a strong faith in God and rely on Him to see them through.
To someone outside the faith, this must look ridiculous. When they are put into situations that should cause them despair, they have hope. The First Reading speaks of this beautifully.
“We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;
perplexed, but not driven to despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed;
always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,
so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10)
Of course, it is easy to say that these words are beautiful and poetic when things are going well in life, but when you are in the thick of a storm, the last thing you want to do is feel hopeful.
However, this is where all our talk of faith, hope and trust are put to the test. When everything is falling apart, and we’re dealing with an array of mixed emotions—from anger to anguish—that’s when we need to throw ourselves into the Father’s arms and rely on His grace to pull us through.
Thankfully, just as the early Christians weren’t traveling this journey to Heaven alone, we’re not alone. Whether it’s from family, friends, our parish or the BiS sisterhood, there are people willing to follow the example of servitude that Jesus lived. They are ready to pray for us or offer physical support. I have witnessed this time and time again, both in my own life and in the lives of friends.
When we were going through family trials—big things like cancer and smaller things like a house full of sick kids—people were ready to step up and help. My social media feeds were filled with messages of prayer and hope. Those were balm to my soul. God used them to say to my heart: Stop worrying. I’ve got this. I’ll make sure you and your loved ones get through this.
If you are going through a difficult time, lean on the Father and don’t be afraid to reach out to those around you to get support. If you know of someone carrying a heavy cross, be that balm and do something to lighten their load.
Bobbi Rol is a wife, mama and blogger living on the Monterey Bay in CA with her husband, teen daughter, and three rambunctious boys. When she is not dodging light sabers or stepping on Legos, she can be found outside with her family, catching a late night movie or decorating her planner. You can find out more about her here.
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