Have you ever experienced terror?   Not the kind of emotion that you head to the movies to experience, but the real deal; the “I’m gonna die.” emotion. I’ve had that experience a couple of times in my sixty odd years and can recall the incidents as crisply as if they were five minutes ago.  They both involved the unpredictability that can be associated with the horse show industry and big, powerful critters.

Imminent danger like that creates all sorts of things that you never imagined could happen to your conscience mind. Time stands still, all sound disappears, vision sharpens and your mind has absolutely nothing in it except what is directly in front of you.  Your focus on the magnified danger is unwavering!  Therein lies the problem.  Not the problem of the terrifying occurrence itself, instead, in the reaction we have to the situation.  Every day is a set of constantly evolving circumstances strung together.  We never really know what will be, but for the believer there is one rule that should rise above the rest; In every circumstance trust God.  Situations change but God never changes.  It is true that trust is a whole lot easier when the day is going well and nothing is awry, but that’s not what the Father expects of us.  “[T]hey that know your name will put their trust in you: for you, LORD, have not forsaken them that seek you” (Psalms 9:10 ).

We can create our own doubt when we compartmentalize the way that we moderns can do; life is here but Church is over there, prayer is for Sunday but doesn’t have anything to do with the rest of the week.  The truth is that you are a person of faith or you are not a person of faith.  That is a condition that exists 24/7.  So we do ourselves a favor when we are armed and ready to practice trust. The “trust muscle” is like any other. It improves and grows stronger with use. Even St. John Vianney  (The Cure of Ars, t 1859) taught on this.  He identified circumstances that immediately and violently draw our attention as “temptations from the enemy”, literally.

 I have said that temptation is necessary for us to preserve us in humility and distrust of self, and to oblige us to take refuge with God.  We read in history that a superior said to a hermit who was violently tempted by the devil, “My friend do you wish me to ask God to deliver you from these temptations?”  “No, Father,” answered the hermit; “for they have the effect of keeping me continually in the presence of God because it constantly necessitates my taking refuge with God, that he may stand by me in my struggles.”

Sometimes we have a mistaken idea, or maybe a wish, that sincere practice of our faith equips with some kind of immunity to rough situations.  The truth is that situations that seem too hard or too harsh are really the Lord offering us an opportunity.  If you recall Jesus’ walking on the water, the middle of the passage even tells us that: “[T]hey (the disciples) were terrified (Mtt.14:26).” But after the terror they were much clearer about who Jesus was, saying, “Truly, you are the son of God.”  Things and situations that strongly distract us like terror, fear, rage, anger, jealousy, self-doubt, are all very human realities. As believers, though, we have tools to nullify these “temptations” that draw us away from the presence of God.  With practice everyone can turn each of these situations from a negative into an opportunity to grow.  Practice trusting God in all things, start small and remember the wisdom of St. Gregory the Great, “If you have no temptations then the devil is your friend, your guide, and your shepherd.”

Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org

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