September 16
Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe
he would give me a hearing. Job 9:16
Doubt. Despair. Darkness. Who has not experienced these feelings at one time or another? Who has not had moments, days, or perhaps even years, plunged into the depths of utter hopelessness and frustration with circumstances in life? Who has not experienced a long, dark night of anguish over a situation that appears to be without resolution? It may be illness, grief, financial crises or unexpected life changes thrusting us into complete desolation and a sense of abandonment by God. Even when St. Ignatius lived through his “Dark Night of the Soul,” he felt God was not listening. He was not, and neither are we, alone though, in this struggle of the soul; in this search for God in our brokenness.
Job’s response strikes a chord with me. He was at the end point. He no longer believed that God would
listen to him. Who hasn’t been there? Our knee jerk reaction seems to be the feeling of abandonment. The
key word here though, is “believe.” There are times it is difficult to believe that God is with us and aware of our needs, when we feel so defeated; in such a painful state. But faith is, believing in what we cannot see. Faith
is, believing in a power greater than ourselves. Faith is, believing that although we cannot feel His presence
or hear His voice, He is with us still. And when the odds are against us, Faith is holding on to the knowledge
that His love is at it’s greatest when he is carrying us through the trials of life, and I am reminded of the "Footprints" prayer.
Who among us has not experienced the dawn of a new day? Who among us, as God whispers His love
to us, has not felt the subtle, sometimes sudden changes that come about; the small shifts in thinking that bring with them tiny flickers of hope? Who among us has not felt God’s miraculous power to heal, His gift of a return to joy; His provision of more than what we could have ever expected? Who among us is not so loved by God?
Heavenly Father! Blessed God of all creation! Thank you for the gift of Faith!
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson
Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe
he would give me a hearing. Job 9:16
Doubt. Despair. Darkness. Who has not experienced these feelings at one time or another? Who has not had moments, days, or perhaps even years, plunged into the depths of utter hopelessness and frustration with circumstances in life? Who has not experienced a long, dark night of anguish over a situation that appears to be without resolution? It may be illness, grief, financial crises or unexpected life changes thrusting us into complete desolation and a sense of abandonment by God. Even when St. Ignatius lived through his “Dark Night of the Soul,” he felt God was not listening. He was not, and neither are we, alone though, in this struggle of the soul; in this search for God in our brokenness.
Job’s response strikes a chord with me. He was at the end point. He no longer believed that God would
listen to him. Who hasn’t been there? Our knee jerk reaction seems to be the feeling of abandonment. The
key word here though, is “believe.” There are times it is difficult to believe that God is with us and aware of our needs, when we feel so defeated; in such a painful state. But faith is, believing in what we cannot see. Faith
is, believing in a power greater than ourselves. Faith is, believing that although we cannot feel His presence
or hear His voice, He is with us still. And when the odds are against us, Faith is holding on to the knowledge
that His love is at it’s greatest when he is carrying us through the trials of life, and I am reminded of the "Footprints" prayer.
Who among us has not experienced the dawn of a new day? Who among us, as God whispers His love
to us, has not felt the subtle, sometimes sudden changes that come about; the small shifts in thinking that bring with them tiny flickers of hope? Who among us has not felt God’s miraculous power to heal, His gift of a return to joy; His provision of more than what we could have ever expected? Who among us is not so loved by God?
Heavenly Father! Blessed God of all creation! Thank you for the gift of Faith!
Copyright© 2013 Kathleen A. Matson