“…I took today as the day of the monthly retreat. My spirit engrossed itself in the benefits that God has lavished on me throughout this whole year. My soul trembled at the sight of this immensity of God’s graces. From my soul there burst forth a hymn of thanksgiving to the Lord. For a whole hour, I remained steeped in adoration and thanksgiving, contemplating, one by one, the benefits I had received from God and also my own minor shortcomings. All that this year contained has gone into the abyss of eternity. Nothing is lost. I am glad that nothing gets lost.“ Divine Mercy in my soul # 855
A brother in Christ who is very dear to my heart told us of a time of great challenge for his wife’s health. As she recovered from a serious health condition, it would have been easy for them to lament and look at the struggles they were going through. That wasn’t her answer. His wife picked up a journal and began to write daily of all the things she was thankful for. My ‘brother’ followed suit. It’s now many years later, she is doing very well and they both continue to write their daily praise reports and thanks to God.
Any of us who go through a catastrophic health crisis, loss of a loved one or any of a myriad of challenges can easily look into their struggles and find the darkness. Even prayer can become like Job. At the beginning of the Book of Job, he has lost all his property, and his children are all dead. “After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born” Job 3:1
I can commiserate with Job. Who would blame him for his lamenting? I been there several times myself, though not nearly as devastated as Job was. But, we don’t have to lose everything or face Job’s challenges to feel like everything is bleak or develop a sense of ‘doom and gloom’.
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
St Ignatius taught that one should first bring praise and thanksgiving to God before bringing petitions. In the Daily Examen, he says, “Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts.“
Over the past 20 years and throughout my life, there have been many ups and downs. I’ve always considered myself an optimist. But, in times of deepest struggle and darkest moments, I’ve found it very easy to become downcast. With my daughter’s illness, I was upbeat and a stalwart if faith for her and the rest of my family, but inside my optimistic nature was being eaten away by fear, struggles and later, self-doubt. I went into her illness with a bang for sure, but my heart steadied and I prayed and lived strong lay in faith. But, as the struggles grew from days to weeks into months and more, the light of faith within slowly dwindled and was eaten away. I couldn’t see the grand things God was doing even though I was a direct part of each. The enemy’s voice became louder in my ear as worry and stress stretched on through the months. Until the point that the only way God could wake me from this growing malaise was a ‘slap in the face.’ He took away His blessings and consolations and let me walk into a dark night.
When I realized darkness around me and began to call out to the Father from the depths of my soul, He listened and rebuilt me. In the next few years, God have me a heart of thanksgiving and praise. His presence in Divine Mercy has probably done more for me than all the things of my life combined.
Now I’ve learned, especially over the past decade, to praise God FIRST. Thanks to His patience, love and Divine Mercy the darkness has pulled back its veil and I see the Light surrounding me. I’ve faced some dire challenges with my daughter’s illness but even in those dark days I’ve brought praise and thankfulness before even my ‘emergency’ petitions. Even to the point that there have been times I’ve prayed God so much in prayer that I forgot even to bring my needs before His Throne. No matter though, this is where trust in my loving Father comes to bloom. I know He always has my heart in Hid hands to protect, I know there is no moment in which He isn’t present and has already been acting within. He wants to hear my prayers but loves most when my prayers bring praise to His glory and trust that He has it all under control. Then, I find a peace descend upon my soul, I don’t have to stress the small (or immense) stuff because My God is bigger than any struggle.
I look back at my journal since meeting Jesus through St. Faustina in the Divine Mercy and see a huge swing in tone. Once, I lamented of my sins and life’s challenges. Now, there is so much more time spent praising my Awesome God, focusing on alL for which I have to be thankful.
Start your praise journal today. Don’t worry if you don’t like writing or journaling, write your praise on your heart and lift them to God. Let the Heavens ring with your joy and thanksgiving. Then, bring your petitions. If you remember and aren’t overcome by the new heart of praise.
“My child, know that the greatest obstacles to holiness are discouragement and an exaggerated anxiety. These will deprive you of the ability to practice virtue.“ Divine Mercy in my soul # 1488
Absolutely beautiful!