In times of discouragement
Discouragement is one of the forms Satan uses to discourage us from following Jesus’ way. It seems that this has been one of the commonest ways of our enemy. Let us hear what St Faustina has to tell us in her Diary entry 129. She recounts the following:
Satan always takes advantage of such moments; thoughts of discouragement began to rise to the surface-for your faithfulness and sincerity-this is your reward. How can one be sincere when one is so misunderstood? Jesus, Jesus, I cannot go on any longer. Again I fell to the ground under this weight, and I broke out in a sweat, and fear began to overcome me. I had no one to lean on interiorly. Suddenly I heard a voice within my soul, Do not fear; I am with you. And an unusual light illumined my mind, and I understood that I should not give in to such sorrows. I was filled with a certain strength and left my cell with new courage to suffer.
The saints underwent such an experience. Hence they can counsel us by their own experience. Let us listen attentively and humbly to their inspired word. For instance, Pope St John Paul II encouages us with these words: Rise, let us be on our way! Furthermore, St Philip Neri tells us: Let us throw ourselves into God’s arms, and be sure that if He wants something from us, He will give us the strength to do everything He wants us to. St Thomas More advices us that what happens to us is under God’s surveillance. Even if reality is in its harshest he wants the best for us. He says: Nothing can happen to me that God doesn’t want. And all that He wants, no matter how bad it may appear to us, is really for the best.
In our suffering God makes us meet compassionate hearts to assist us in our travail. St Thérèse of Lisieux states: It does us much good, when we suffer, to have friendly hearts whose echo responds to our suffering. St Mother Teresa of Calcutta encourages us by acknowledging the fact that we fail. However God does not will our discouragement. She says: God allows failure but does not want discouragement. On the same lines, St Josemaría Escrivá views our battles as a way for the ultimate victory. He reassures us with these words: Don’t become discouraged. I have seen you fight … Your defeat today is training for the final victory.
In times of trouble let us never forget to be joyful, to handle responsibly our personal formation as well as to do good to others. The great St John Bosco tells us: Joy, study and piety: this is the best program to make you happy, and is the one that will most benefit your soul. Adversity is the golden moment where true virtue shines. St John of the Cross tells us: True love is hidden in the depths of the virtues, and manifests itself in any adversity.
Real faith keeps us humble in good times and peaceful in bad times. St Clare of Assisi tells us: It is proper of faith to make us humble in happy events and unperturbed in setbacks. In difficult moments God’s mercy is more powerful than our weakness. Here is what St Margaret Mary Alacoque says: Have great confidence in God: His mercy is infinitely greater than our weakness.
Let us pray with St John Neumann when we feel we are greatly discouraged:
My Jesus, relieve me of my discouragement.
My devotion has vanished; spiritual thoughts no longer soothe my troubled soul.
Even the remembrances of Your passion and of Your Blessed Mother grow dim before my vision.
O Jesus, do not forsake me.
Help me, help me!
I am resolved not to omit a single one of my devotions.
Hear me, O my God, strengthen and increase my faith.
Keep me from yielding to temptation. You said, “My yoke is sweet; my burden is light.”
Have mercy on me, for wheresoever I turn I see only obstacles and difficulties.
Were my faith strong I would accept my trials; but alas, I feel only impatience, doubt and discouragement.
My soul, hold fast to Jesus. How faint-hearted and childish I am!
All my comfort, all my joy must come from You.
Bring me closer to You when temptations assail me.
Help me not to fail.
O Lord, my God, I cast myself entirely into Your Hands.
Worn out by the struggle, I will rest beneath Your cross; pray for me in my desolation of soul.
Jesus, be merciful to me. Amen.
Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap
