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jmoburg
Guest
My mother, has gone through the chemo treatments & currently going through the radiation treatments, and has asked me to ask the catholic forum :How does one deepen your trust/faith in God during hard times?
How do you strengthen/deepen your trust/faith in God during hard times?
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PhilotheaZ
Guest
- Prayer. Pray without ceasing. Spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and pour out everything to Jesus, who is truly present in the tabernacle or monstrance.
- Pray the Psalms and meditate on them, especially Psalms 13, 23, 27, 30, 31, 40, 63, 71, 86, 116, 121, 138, 139, 146. You can find them here usccb.org/nab/bible/index.htm#psalms if you don’t have a Bible handy, and perhaps share one or two with her whenever you see her or write to her.
- Read the Book of Job. It’s a study on human suffering and how one faithful man dealt with it.
- Meditate on the Agony in the Garden (Matthew 26:36–46). Jesus begged His Father to remove His suffering, but trusted His Father enough to surrender His own will to the Father.
- Pray the Prayer of Abandonment (by Blessed Charles de Foucauld):
Father,
I abandon myself into Your hands;
do with me what You will.
Whatever You may do, I thank You:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
and in all Your creatures —
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to You with all the love of my heart,
for I love You, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into Your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for You are my Father.
L
leonie
Guest
christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=7164557&p=1010575
For more inspirational books, audio tapes, and videos by Father Jim Willig, and to learn about the ministry he founded, please visit the Heart to Heart Web site.
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Steve12045
Guest
This may seem simplistic but the answer for me has allways been prayer. It seems like that when times are hardest we pray the hardest. Pray the Rosary every day. The Rosary is a powerful prayer.
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dalesmom
Guest
I have been where your mother is. Chemo and radiation is the closest you’ll ever come to death without dying. Somedays you wish God would take you to end the immense suffering you’re going through…but then you remember all that Christ went through. You pray for God to take it all into His hands and guide you through it. Prayer gets you through it and brings you much closer to God. Your life is in His hands and it is up to Him whether it is time to call you home or cure you because He has a purpose for you to fullfill.
Prayers for you and your mom.
P.S. Please don’t bug her to eat!!! She knows that she needs to and she will when she is ready.
Prayers for you and your mom.
P.S. Please don’t bug her to eat!!! She knows that she needs to and she will when she is ready.
K
kentuckyliz
Guest
When physically zapped, it is impossible to read, or even listen to audio or watch TV. These things can cause discomfort. In that case, just a short prayer…Jesus, I trust in You. He is the Healer. Practice the presence of God…in bed, wrapped up in blankies, imagine yourself nesting under God’s wing, his baby bird. (from the Psalms) A baby on His lap. Or under Mary’s mantle, a baby on her lap, if you want a Marian image. Just feeling this presence is a great comfort.
It is amazing how God pours out consoling graces during the trials of illness. He shows forth his strength in our weakness. The peace and joy is incredible. I’ve experienced this before; and all actions can be a prayer. I had gall-bladder disease induced violent bile vomiting, and even while hugging the toilet in my pain and misery, I was thinking, God, you are all good and deserving of all my love. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! (hurl)
The desperate cry of the heart is a good prayer, too. Lord, heal me! Lord, help me bear my pain! Lord, let me relax and fall asleep through this! Lord, bless my health care team with wisdom!
The decision to praise God in all circumstances is really the key, I think. My father is declining and he’s just such a happy camper, good spirits, childlike abandonment. He is a true hero and role model.
I am crackling with peace and joy and resurrection power…having beaten/continuing to beat/hope to beat two different cancers. No chemo, though, but other difficulties. My joy exists regardless of the results. (I’m waiting on some results now.)
Actually, it’s easier for me to really have deep faith and trust, live, vivid, spirit-filled, during the hard times, than when things are easy and comfy and humming along just fine. Perhaps it’s because it’s absolutely necessary. I can’t imagine what a miserable soul I would be if I gave up hope and faith during/because of illness or hard times.
Just trust in the Lord and squeak out whatever prayers from the heart…God knows our petitions before we ask, and he is a good abba father, who desires to give us good things.
Almost forgot: beforehand, consecrate all your suffering for the conversion of sinners. Don’t waste your suffering–unite it to Christ on the cross for the salvation of others. It doesn’t feel so empty and meaningless then.
It is amazing how God pours out consoling graces during the trials of illness. He shows forth his strength in our weakness. The peace and joy is incredible. I’ve experienced this before; and all actions can be a prayer. I had gall-bladder disease induced violent bile vomiting, and even while hugging the toilet in my pain and misery, I was thinking, God, you are all good and deserving of all my love. Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever! (hurl)
The desperate cry of the heart is a good prayer, too. Lord, heal me! Lord, help me bear my pain! Lord, let me relax and fall asleep through this! Lord, bless my health care team with wisdom!
The decision to praise God in all circumstances is really the key, I think. My father is declining and he’s just such a happy camper, good spirits, childlike abandonment. He is a true hero and role model.
I am crackling with peace and joy and resurrection power…having beaten/continuing to beat/hope to beat two different cancers. No chemo, though, but other difficulties. My joy exists regardless of the results. (I’m waiting on some results now.)
Actually, it’s easier for me to really have deep faith and trust, live, vivid, spirit-filled, during the hard times, than when things are easy and comfy and humming along just fine. Perhaps it’s because it’s absolutely necessary. I can’t imagine what a miserable soul I would be if I gave up hope and faith during/because of illness or hard times.
Just trust in the Lord and squeak out whatever prayers from the heart…God knows our petitions before we ask, and he is a good abba father, who desires to give us good things.
Almost forgot: beforehand, consecrate all your suffering for the conversion of sinners. Don’t waste your suffering–unite it to Christ on the cross for the salvation of others. It doesn’t feel so empty and meaningless then.
J
johannahw
Guest
In 2004 I had a recurrence of my 1999 breast cancer only this time it had spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. I went through 6 months of chemo and 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. My chemo started in June and didn’t end until the end of Nov. all I could do was lie in bed with the TV on. It was a miserably hot summer and we couldn’t afford to use the air conditioner. Sometimes I prayed to just die. My cancer went into remission though and I’ve been doing okay for 2 years now but I don’t trust the cancer. I was supposed to have been “cured” in 1999 but it came back worse than before. I think I’ll always have a fear of the cancer returning.
I’m so sorry she has to go through all this and I’ll remember to prayer for her tonight.
Blessings.
Johannah
I’m so sorry she has to go through all this and I’ll remember to prayer for her tonight.
Blessings.
Johannah
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jmoburg
Guest
You are all so sweet - I will print out these replies and give them to her (since she still does really have the internet at her house). I know she’d find comfort, asking word for word her own questions, and reading first hand your answers… Thank you so much for your prayers and suggestions!
I love this portal of sharing ability. From behind the computer screen I’m able to ask what my heart wants and needs, where I tend to be much more quiet in tongue during the day.
God Bless!
I love this portal of sharing ability. From behind the computer screen I’m able to ask what my heart wants and needs, where I tend to be much more quiet in tongue during the day.
God Bless!
J
jmcrae
Guest
I write “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:34) somewhere prominent where I will see it every day, and I make a conscious choice not to worry or fret.
I also count up all my blessings and say, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
I will pray for your mother. My mother is also a cancer survivor. It is difficult, but keeping a positive attitude is essential.
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xmydreamsfadex
Guest
i look at a crucifix. it helps me to know that whatever i’m going through God is with me.
btw, if you’re really mad at someone looking at a cricifix and saying a fatima prayer helps as well.
btw, if you’re really mad at someone looking at a cricifix and saying a fatima prayer helps as well.
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blacktiger057
Guest
Challenges are a test of our faith. They also teach us about ourselves and life. With God’s help and a little belief in Him and yourself, anything is possible. I’ll definately pray for your family! May the Light shine strong within your hearts!
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kitkatty
Guest
Keep praying keep praying and keep praying! Even If you don`t feel like it, feel confused or too stressed out ; make the attempt and keep focused on Jesus through it all. It will help. Prayers of others are comforting too. You have:byzsoc: mine.
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I_Believe
Guest
Another vote for prayer here. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read “prayer changes things”. Very true.
As PhilotheaZ said, prayer in the presence of the Eucharist is a powerful way to bolster your faith.
As PhilotheaZ said, prayer in the presence of the Eucharist is a powerful way to bolster your faith.
C
cherubim
Guest
Hi,
I just want to say,pray the rosary everyday,and if it’s possible pray a special novena.
Do believe that your mom will be healed.She will overcome her pains and sufferings,her faith will be strengthened
Keep both faith strong in God.
-Of the bitter and the sweet-
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,a gentle Father and the God of all consolation,who comforts us in all our sorrows,so that we can offer others,in their sorrows,the consolation that we have received from God ourselves.Indeed,as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us,so,through Christ,does our consolation overflow.When we are made to suffer,it is for your consolation and salvation.When,instead,we are comforted,this should be a consolation to you,supporting you in patiently bearing the same sufferings as we bear.And our hope for you is confident,since we know that,sharing our sufferings,you will also share our consolations.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
-I am not alone-
Know that I am with you always,yes,to the end of time.
Matthew 28:20
God bless!
QUOTE=jmoburg;2389524]You are all so sweet - I will print out these replies and give them to her (since she still does really have the internet at her house). I know she’d find comfort, asking word for word her own questions, and reading first hand your answers… Thank you so much for your prayers and suggestions!
I love this portal of sharing ability. From behind the computer screen I’m able to ask what my heart wants and needs, where I tend to be much more quiet in tongue during the day.
God Bless!
I just want to say,pray the rosary everyday,and if it’s possible pray a special novena.
Do believe that your mom will be healed.She will overcome her pains and sufferings,her faith will be strengthened
Keep both faith strong in God.-Of the bitter and the sweet-
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,a gentle Father and the God of all consolation,who comforts us in all our sorrows,so that we can offer others,in their sorrows,the consolation that we have received from God ourselves.Indeed,as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us,so,through Christ,does our consolation overflow.When we are made to suffer,it is for your consolation and salvation.When,instead,we are comforted,this should be a consolation to you,supporting you in patiently bearing the same sufferings as we bear.And our hope for you is confident,since we know that,sharing our sufferings,you will also share our consolations.
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
-I am not alone-
Know that I am with you always,yes,to the end of time.
Matthew 28:20
God bless!
QUOTE=jmoburg;2389524]You are all so sweet - I will print out these replies and give them to her (since she still does really have the internet at her house). I know she’d find comfort, asking word for word her own questions, and reading first hand your answers… Thank you so much for your prayers and suggestions!
I love this portal of sharing ability. From behind the computer screen I’m able to ask what my heart wants and needs, where I tend to be much more quiet in tongue during the day.
God Bless!
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