Tests of faith come in all shapes and sizes. Attacks on faith come the same way. It's always difficult to assertain which one you are currently experiencing, however. Don't you think?
I mean, what are the differences between tests and attacks? They both feel equally as trying and are hard to endure. Neither comes with a quick, "How To" with it. And, for the duration, you can struggle with doubts, fears, frustrations, etc.
So, my take on them has become simple. In order to address the insanity that ensues with any particular test of or attack on faith, I have come up with a one-size-fits-all solution. Stick to your guns! What? What do I mean by that? Let me explain.
It's simple, really. Stay true to yourself...your beliefs...your foundation. Don't assume that because you are being tested or attacked that you need to dig up the ground and start over. No, a foundation took lots of time to build and if you built it well...based upon God's Word...on God's Grace...on God's Will...that you will endure whatever is thrown at you. Do not despair.
I answer all problems thrown my way thinking about God first. I learned this through much trial-and-error, however. And, I'm still susceptible to jumping the gun and getting in my own way at times. Who isn't, right? Yet, without fail, if I sit back and pray...if I think about God's Will on how to proceed, on how to handle things, there's an inevitable peace that accompanies my actions. I'm not saying it's ever easy, but there's a calm that I feel deep inside that comes from knowing I followed the right path. Knowing I relied upon and trusted in God.
At this time, I am going through a difficult and personal situation. It is family related and something that I saw coming for a long time. Although, I had hoped that there would be some way around...some OTHER PATH I could travel to avoid it. Yeah...that whole "gettin' in my own way thing again" I know. Rather than allow the despair of it all to latch onto me...mind, body and soul...I chose to look upwards and pray. I chose to follow God, completely.
I listened, carefully, and I followed His Will...not my own, but His. Not so easy for a control-freak like me. Ugh. Talk about hard!!! LOL But, I knew that I needed to do it because this problem is so much bigger than me. The situation is far from resolved, however, I have found peace in the way I've chosen to approach it. That tells me that God is "handling it" and I've done all He required. Otherwise, I know myself too well to think I'd be this calm about it. You see, my family has always been one of the most intragal components to my life. Regardless of some of the extreme hardships with various problems.
However, it recently came to a head and it was impossible for me to continue ignoring. At the same time, it was important to me that I handle things in a Christian and more specifically, Catholic way. I needed to pray and to let God lead me so that I took the path He had chosen. I needed to talk with my priest...to step outside of the emotions of the situation and pray for God's wisdom and help. Easier path? Uh...no. Does God give us more than we can handle...uh...no (not that we don't think maybe, sometimes, He does).
I suppose I'm writing all this because it's on my mind. I've been thinking on it and wondering why I'm so calm and not in despair over what's happened. The only explanation is God. That I am (finally) allowing Him to do His work in His time. I am finally "giving it up to God" as I always tell people to do, themselves. Practice what you preach!!!
You see, my natural instinct...if you take away my faith and my beliefs...is to simply allow my anger and hurt feelings to override everything else. To throw my hands up and say, "That's it...I'm done!" But, our faith teaches us to look past fleeting emotions and discern, most carefully, our responses and actions in any situation. Without my faith, you see, I would be at the total mercy of my emotions and incapable of making decisions without being driven by them. When I previously lived my life that way, I made many rash and seriously bad decisions. I also spent a lot of time having to apologize and make amends for poor behavior. Not fun at all!
It's not that things are suddenly easy as pie, either. Rather, that I am more accepting of the things that aren't going to be so easy in my life. My emotions don't DRIVE me and take over so that I cannot think through things. My faith takes over, instead. I'm realizing that God is here to guide me...to lead me...but He won't decide things FOR me. No, I still have my free will. But, because my Catholic faith has built a strong foundation within me, I knew the time had come to let God's Will be done. Simply, to do what He asks and not muck it up with my own ideas and solutions based upon a whim...emotion...or whatever else was not OF my faith.
Following our Lord is not always easy. We are often tempted to do things our way in lieu of following His Will...His Timing...His Way. However, when we do all that rebelling against God...where does it get us, really? Are we satisfied? Are we at peace? Are we ready for the next obstacle or are we still worrying about the previous three obstacles?
Peace be with you.
