God Always generous, even in suffering

[BlueRain]

I was listening to Catholic radio people commenting on this theme.
The one story that sticks out most is the woman who was very bright and qualified for a career she was trying to get into, but she just couldn’t find a job where she could progress. So during this hard time, she learned to live frugally.
Eventually she did find a job and stayed with that comapny for 15 years. She did very well, but she still lived frugally. Then recently her parents needed her help and care. She quit her job and takes care of them. Since she had lived frugally, she now has the money to care for her parents and herself very well, but she says she would have not learned to live frugally if she hadn’t suffered in the beginning trying to find a good job.

Anyone have similar stories?

I know I struggled for a long time with questions about God. I wondered if he really existed etc. I struggled and felt much anguish and uncertainty for a long time. But I started reading books, watching EWTN, reading Karl Keatings book, and other things. It helped to tackle the criticsms that Church receives and to learn more about its history.

But I think I see why I needed this. It did make me stronger. I now work helping my dad in his restaurant. The cook there has thrown criticms and doubts on the Church. He does it with a smile, not directly, if you know what I mean.
Like a couple of weeks ago he mentioned how some of the popes did bad things and how at one point there were too points. I kept calm and then mentioned a pope about who early on seemed bent on bringing down the church (I forgot which one, Raymond Arroyo had mentioned him on EWTN). The popes are not perfect, we’re all human.
Anywways, he kinda throws things at me like the Gospel according to Judas, the Gnostics gospels, mentioned once that perhaps this whole world is some sort of alien experiments etc.
But I’m glad that I have some arguments against those things now.

They always make it seem like the Church had it’s own agenda and some sort of secret reason for not accepting the gnostic gospels etc. It’s those kind of conspiracy ideas that he likes.

Now my problem is trying to follow Jesus as best as I can. Which my patience has been tested lately.

 

[blessedstar]

I was listening to Catholic radio people commenting on this theme.
The one story that sticks out most is the woman who was very bright and qualified for a career she was trying to get into, but she just couldn’t find a job where she could progress. So during this hard time, she learned to live frugally.
Eventually she did find a job and stayed with that comapny for 15 years. She did very well, but she still lived frugally. Then recently her parents needed her help and care. She quit her job and takes care of them. Since she had lived frugally, she now has the money to care for her parents and herself very well, but she says she would have not learned to live frugally if she hadn’t suffered in the beginning trying to find a good job.

Anyone have similar stories?

I know I struggled for a long time with questions about God. I wondered if he really existed etc. I struggled and felt much anguish and uncertainty for a long time. But I started reading books, watching EWTN, reading Karl Keatings book, and other things. It helped to tackle the criticsms that Church receives and to learn more about its history.

But I think I see why I needed this. It did make me stronger. I now work helping my dad in his restaurant. The cook there has thrown criticms and doubts on the Church. He does it with a smile, not directly, if you know what I mean.
Like a couple of weeks ago he mentioned how some of the popes did bad things and how at one point there were too points. I kept calm and then mentioned a pope about who early on seemed bent on bringing down the church (I forgot which one, Raymond Arroyo had mentioned him on EWTN). The popes are not perfect, we’re all human.
Anywways, he kinda throws things at me like the Gospel according to Judas, the Gnostics gospels, mentioned once that perhaps this whole world is some sort of alien experiments etc.
But I’m glad that I have some arguments against those things now.

They always make it seem like the Church had it’s own agenda and some sort of secret reason for not accepting the gnostic gospels etc. It’s those kind of conspiracy ideas that he likes.

Now my problem is trying to follow Jesus as best as I can. Which my patience has been tested lately.

If you live your faith, you will face adversity. Your struggles and sufferings for the sake of Christ Jesus and the Gospel are a testimony to your faith, this is why Jesus says rejoice.

Sometimes when people do not understand and are trying to understand the faith they come across as critising the faith, even persecuting it. St Paul did not understand the Gospel and persecuted the Christians, once he understood, he joined them!

There is a saying ‘Stupidity does as much harm in the world as evil’ How true this is.

Your efforts to understand the faith will help others to understand, but only if we do not preach in words often. 85% of human communication is body language, your expression of love and kindness to others as taught in the Gospel will do more good with your 15% of words. The Truth coated in the honey of kind actions and mercy is the Gospel.

Throughout my life in order to grow in obedience and love I have had to suffer, period. That’s how it is , but then how sweet the suffering is when we see where it leads us. The Passion of Christ did not end at Calvary, it ended in the Resurrection which is the new beginning.

One thing I love about the Catholic Faith is that we are not a miserable bunch of complainers, when we are persecuted we rejoice, when we are shunned we rejoice, when we are outcasts we rejoice, when we are mocked we rejoice. In some faiths they complain at every turn, but the Catholic Church sets her jaw like flint and is unflinching. She lives the Passion by God’s grace and rejoices in it. She continually attests to the Lord’s words to Pilate ‘I am the Truth’, she states the Truth and emulating Christ Jesus does not bemoan her afflictions, but immersed in the Lord awaits her vindication.

Your thread is beautiful, God bless you.

 

[BlueRain]

Your efforts to understand the faith will help others to understand, but only if we do not preach in words often. 85% of human communication is body language, your expression of love and kindness to others as taught in the Gospel will do more good with your 15% of words. The Truth coated in the honey of kind actions and mercy is the Gospel.

I must remember this, it is so true and can be very hard at times with certain persons you might not like. Thank you blessedstar.