Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Many of us are wondering what the next few weeks and months will bring. What will happen to us next? Will we be resourceful enough to face it?

Chances are we were already praying, but maybe we’re praying a little more now. Maybe our dependence on God is clearer than before.

Even so, little voices tempt us to fear being left alone without help or hope.

Think again
Well, the little voices are wrong. The love of the good God still prevails. We can take it from someone who knows. No follower of Jesus was more humanly without help or hope than was St. Paul in all his persecutions. This is what he wrote about what’s really important:

“What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?

“No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

Okay, if Paul can say that, maybe I can, too.

And we remember Our Lord’s words in Luke 10:41-42:
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.”

It’s himself he’s talking about, of course. Because, as the psalmist sang 3,000 years ago, “Trust in the Lord and he will act” (Psalm 37:5).

Can I really trust the Lord to act?
I challenge you to think of a time when you didn’t know how a situation in your life could ever be solved, but it was—and in an expectedly simple way. Like this month, when I had said “yes” to seriously too many things, and then was reminded of another big thing I had promised months ago to do now, and had forgotten about.

With sweaty palms, I told God he was going to have to pull off something amazing to make this work out, but I was trusting him to do it. I knew I couldn’t!

And then everything got cancelled.

Plan B
Suddenly, a new list of things to put in God’s hands emerged. How would I finish a series of talks in my parish if we couldn’t meet in person? Would my sister be able to continue her chemo treatments? Would my husband run out of crucial meds?

I’m praying more than ever (maybe that’s Our Lord’s plan for all of us in this) and focusing more on what’s really important: my friendship with God and being there for my brothers and sisters.

Helping us trust
Every time I turn to the “Litany of Trust” by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, I feel like everything will be okay. It unfailingly turns my mind and heart to faith over fear.

It’s my offering to you this week as we pray—and trust—together. The litany is below, and if you’d like your very own copy to print out and carry with you, click here: Litany_of_Trust_VirtueConnection.com

Hang in there, friend. God’s got this!
Love always,
Rose

Litany of Trust

by Sr. Faustina Maria Pia, S.V.

From the belief that I have to earn your love,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the false security that I have what it takes,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of Your words and promises,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against childlike dependence on You,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your Will,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking of the present moment,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence in suffering & trial,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement,
— Deliver me, Jesus.
+++
That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings and transforms me,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That you are with me in my suffering,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That Your plan is better than anything else,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That You always hear me and, in Your goodness, always respond to me,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That You provide the grace to forgive myself and others,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That my life is a gift,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That you will teach me to trust You,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That You are my Lord and my God,
— Jesus, I trust in you.
That I am Your beloved one,
— Jesus, I trust in you.