God, Give Us Strength: Staying Strong in Faith in Difficult Times

It’s so hard to accept when things don’t go our way, isn't it? So we beg God to hear our cries for help and wait for him to respond. . .how we want and when we want. When that doesn’t happen, we might pray harder or stop altogether becoming angry or distrustful. What we're asking for not only makes sense to us but it seems ridiculous why we (or a loved one) should endure this suffering and difficulty when Jesus could just change it in a snap. What’s the problem, God? We don't understand. In impatience and frustration, we might grasp for control, becoming resentful and exhausted. (Who wouldn't?)

St. Paul's Secret to Living Balanced in Abundance and Scarcity

Reflecting on the readings for Sunday, 11 October, however, I see in Is. 25:6- and Matt. 22: 1- and Ps. 23 that God is not sordid but someone who desires to lavishly fill us with good things for body (juicy, rich food) and soul (truth, freedom, everlasting life) and who never abandons us. If that’s true, why does nothing change? (I wonder that, too.) St. Paul tells us that our hope lies in realizing that in life, “[we] can do all things in him who strengthens [us].” (Phil. 4:12-). He encourages us to see our life, faith and prayer as a growing relationship with a loving God. His "secret" to living balanced in abundance and scarcity is staying connected to God.

In good times, we thank and praise him. In bad times, we pray for the strength, guidance, acceptance (and hopefully some humor!) to get through.

Asking For God's Strength

In other words, our faith life can't be based on satisfaction, essentially reduced to turning to God as if he were a celestial butler. When our faith is about relationship, we can pray for the strength to handle what we're living--together with God--and the grace to see the situation with his eyes.

What's the strength you need to ask God for? How does that change your relationship with him?

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