Are you troubled, sister?
The demons who stalk the Earth can take advantage of our weaknesses. They may make themselves known in our lives by encouraging us to feel out of control, worthless, and distant from God.
Maybe you’re like me, and you struggle with an anxiety disorder. You pray fervently for relief, but you still haven’t seen the miracle you’re looking for.
Other women may have spouses with a gambling or pornography addiction. Some women might struggle with motivation and procrastination. You may have a tendency to lie or be quick to anger. Maybe you yell at your kids too often or you judge your coworkers in your own head or aloud with gossip.
We know where we are weak, and that is where the demons strike. But Jesus knows too. He knows our weaknesses and understands them better than we do. He pondered the very weakness that is on your mind while he hung on the cross. Think about that: He thought of you while He was on the Cross. You. In 2017.
He also thought about the woman in today’s Gospel—her along with her daughter. So great was her faith that even when Jesus tested her, she persisted. And He heard her request and healed her daughter (so powerful are the prayers of a mother). (Matthew 15:28)
And in this circumstance, Jesus chose to heal. He took away the demons that were tormenting the daughter all because of faith. This type of passage leaves me wondering, “I have faith. Where is my miracle?”
Jesus may not heal me today, but if I look at how He has acted in my life, I can see how He has helped me through my weaknesses. He may be using my temptations to bolster my faith or the faith of another. We don’t know His ways, but we do know He can use evil and the hardships in our life for good.
So ask for that miracle. Ask God to take away your demon and believe He will. Go to Him in the Sacraments, receive your healing through the avenues of grace Jesus gave to us. Know that “The world offers you comfort. But you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness,” (Pope Benedict XVI) and our healing will come in God’s time be it all at once or little by little over the course of a lifetime.
Visit Our Lord in the Adoration or at Mass today, this week. Talk to Him.
He thought of you while He was on the Cross. // @callherhappyClick to tweet
Jenna Hines has a teeny army of children: Ellen, Samuel, Theodore, and Maryn and is married to a bearded fellow named Mike. She is happiest when it is sunny outside and she has an embroidery needle in her hand. You can find out more about her here.