Perseverance

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4

Jesus told Luisa Piccarreta that He would would “leave her alone a little bit, without letting Myself be felt.” He said, “See, up to now I have led you by the hand, instructing you and correcting you in everything, and you have done nothing but follow Me. Now I want you to do it by yourself.” When she objected, the Lord added, “the reason is that I want you to understand who you are. See, I do this for your good.”

We all face trials in life. Every trial we face is a “good endowment” and “perfect gift” from God (James 1:17). Let me tell you of a personal time of trial when the Lord removed Himself from being felt in my life, a period of time in which He stopped guiding me and let me walk alone. You can read the full story in my book “I knew His Voice” (http://I Knew His Voice… https://www.amazon.com/dp/1514713543/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_1fk5FbYSPF382).

The Lord had been very close to me for months following my daughter’s Lupus diagnosis and through many medical crisis and hospital stays. He had spoken to and guided me, comforted me and strengthened me through many difficult trials. I don’t know that I had ever felt His Presence so strongly in prayer.

Then came a time that He withdrew His hand from me. For a period of months, God allowed me to walk alone. I know He never truly let me leave His sight, but, for months I came to lose the sense of His presence in my life. Prayers became dry and difficult, reading my Bible was a struggle and even Holy Mass came to feeling empty and hollow. I was walking down this pathway bereft of all sense of light and with every step, the darkness closed in and became more oppressive.

It was in the darkest hour that I came to realize how much I needed God’s presence. Through the silence, I began to feel in my heart the strain to hear His Words. My dry lips and hunger urged me to approach His Sacraments to be fed and given endless water. From all these seeds within this darkness, grew faith, trust and endurance. These days without God’s hand upon my shoulder became perseverance of heart and soul.

One of my favorite quotes from “God’s Not Dead 2” is when Grace and her dad are sitting at the table. Grace is struggling because she can no longer feel God near or hear His voice. Her dad tells her, “it is during the test when the teacher is silent.” The Teacher has given us all the answers and even makes it an open Book test. But, there will always come a time when the test begins and God is silent.

He doesn’t do this to be mean. On the contrary, God will allow the test because of His great love. He understands that it is through the test and “the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Testing grows the soul to full maturity. Through the fire of trials is faith purified and the soul made invincible.

I know that God never truly removed His hand from me nor let me wander from His sight. I know that even through the darkest days of my test, He kept His Light upon my path so I couldn’t lose my way in the darkness. But, I also know that from this testing rose a soul tempered and battle ready.

I went from being a desperate man begging God’s help to become a man confident of His promises and presence. It was through this test that my soul became strong. In these days, I learned to truly trust God for the first time.

When you are faced with challenges, trials, temptations or even darkness, be bolstered that God is allowing this test not to break your spirit but to form and strengthen that spirit. He can allow the test because He has faith in YOU. He knows you have the skills to persevere and obtain the prize – Him.

The most difficult mountains to climb give the greatest views from the top.

“Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12