Has God brought good out of my struggles in the past? What were those struggles, and what was their outcome? How can I use those experiences to grow in trust?
Have I helped others trust more completely in God, or have my words and actions contributed to anxiety and lack of trust? What can I do to assist those around me who struggle to trust in God’s plans?
Week 2
When Things Fall Apart
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
Psalm 46:1–3
These are troubling times. We face war, terrorism, deep political and ideological divisions, and a host of struggles that tear at the fabric of our society and challenge our Catholic faith. It can be overwhelming at times. As men, we wish we could face these fights head on and find real solutions and lasting peace; but no matter what we do, things seem to be getting worse.
It is difficult to see how struggles are a part of the legacy we will leave behind.
No matter what happens, God is in control of our lives. He is the rock upon which our faith stands. Keeping this truth in focus allows us to let go and accept our need for God. This week, we will reflect on five core truths about God’s presence and action in our lives.
1. The shaking of the earth does not shake God.
Psalm 46 contrasts the rock-steady strength of the Lord with the raging “temper tantrum” of the earth. Even when it seems that all is falling apart around us, we can always look to the One who never is shaken.
2. God’s presence remains rock-steady.
Not only is God powerful, he is powerfully present in our world and in each of our lives. He never leaves us, for he is the rock that can never be moved. No matter what we face today, God remains our refuge in the storm.
3. God brings stillness to our troubled times.
Even in our greatest moments of struggle, God’s promises can bring an overwhelming sense of peace to our hearts. He is our refuge, and in his arms we find rest from our weariness and recovery from our sorrow.
4. With a word, God can bring the fury of our fight to an end.
The daily battles we fight, some serious and some less so, can cause us to become caught up in a spirit of conflict and forget that we are traveling to a hopeful future where all wars and all conflicts will cease. If we listen carefully, we can hear the Lord whispering a word that will bring our restless fight to a peaceful resolution.
5. We live in the City of God.
Even in the chaos and violence of the world, we can look to the City of God, where we hope to live for all eternity. We begin our communion in the heavenly city even now, as members of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.
This Week’s Call to Action
When we are struggling with loss, illness, division, sin, or pride, and when the world and its institutions are crumbling before our very eyes, we can rest in the perfect truth that God forever remains our refuge and our strength. This week, strive to find your steady place in the midst of life’s storms. Find ways to invite the power and presence of God into the chaos of life. Spend time with your Father, talking about your fears and struggles.
Knowing that God brings good out of our trusting surrender — not just for us, but for everyone in our lives — helps us to move forward along the stream of salvation to the place where all the noise and clamor of life will give way to the voice of our Savior calling us home. This week, let surrender guide your steps every day. Allow God’s eternal will to draw you closer to Christ and his Church. Reflect on the future happiness to which you are called by your faith in Jesus, and let God show you the role he wants you to play in bringing souls to this same happiness.
Sunday
This week, we will consider God’s faithfulness in our lives, no matter the circumstances we face. God remains a rock of refuge who causes the battles of our lives to give way to peace and surrender. God has a heavenly city in store for all who follow him. As believers, we live within that city right now. God loves his people, and that love shines before us to light our way and manifests itself perfectly in the life of the Church, leading us on to our heavenly inheritance.
This Sunday at Mass, listen for the conflicts in the story of salvation, the struggles the People of God faced. As you celebrate the Eucharist, remember that Jesus went to the cross to bring us salvation and to complete our story. Pray about this story, thank God for the good he has done for humanity from the beginning, the good he has done in your life, and the good that is to come when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead. Let these awesome truths guide you as you go forth to love others and leave a legacy of faith for all the world to see.
Questions for reflection
When in your life have you seen most clearly that God was your rock?
What chaos and upheavals in the world (and your small part of it) cause you the most distress, and how can you draw nearer to God for support and hope?
Praying with Scripture
“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; / he is their refuge in the time of trouble” (Ps 37:39).
Monday
The Shaking of the Earth Does Not Shake God
In you, O Lord, I seek refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me!
Incline your ear to me,
rescue me speedily!
Be a rock of refuge for me,
a strong fortress to save me!
Yes, you are my rock and my fortress;