St. Mary's Catholic Church of Tomahawk, WI

Strength in times of adversity - 1/3

We are the children of God and we are created to deal with the problems of health, mind and soul by our common sense and faith in God. If we have a strong willpower, we can overcome all difficulties because we are the children of God.

Many times we are afraid of life’s problems. The Lord is our strength. Keep faith in Him. God will not suffer us to be tempted more than we are able to bear. Look to the saints and martyrs. Why shouldn’t we have that kind of determination? Use every trial that comes to you as an opportunity to improve yourself. Every trial is like a pickaxe with which we dig into our soil of consciousness and release the fountain of spiritual strength that lies within ourselves. We gain strength only when we wrestle with a strong opponent. One who doesn’t have difficulties is one who doesn’t grow.

Strength in Times of Adversity - 2/3

Learn to be happy, no matter what happens to you because you are a child of God. That is the real success in life. When you face trials, don’t blame anyone or situations but look inside of you. Clean out anything that obstructs the soul’s all powerful, all wise expression – that is the successful way of life.  Painful experiences are not to destroy us, but to bring us closer to God. Learn from all experiences, just like we have from parents or teachers, and those experiences become valuable guides to eternal fulfilment and happiness. When you begin to see clearly the imperfections of the world, you will begin to seek the perfection of God. Don’t blame God or anyone else if you are suffering from disease, financial problems or emotional upsets.

Strength in Times of Adversity - 3/3

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple, and that God’s spirit abides within you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. God’s temple is holy and you are this temple” (1 Cor. 3: 16,17). Every day we need to affirm that “I am a temple of the Holy Spirit, the child of God”. This is practicing the presence of God. When you realize yourself as a child of God, you are free from delusions of weakness, limitations and death.  The nature of the soul is to be happy and joyful even when it is passing through trials of physical suffering or death. Material remedies like medicine, physical comforts, and human consolations have their place in helping to remove pain, but the greatest remedy is the wisdom that affirms that you are a child of God - one with God. This is the cure of all, every trouble and pain.