St. Faustina on "Patience in adversity"

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

How necessary patience is! When St. Paul described love in 1 Cor 13:4, he wrote:

Love is patient, love is kind.

Sometimes, it can be “easy” to be patient, but in times of adversity, when things are difficult and we are tempted or tried by whatever is going on inside or outside of us, patience can be a very “hard” virtue to practice. Listen to St. Faustina’s words, written by God’s Grace:

1. In the midst of the worst difficulties and adversities, I do not lose inner peace or exterior balance, and this discourages my adversaries. Patience in adversity gives power to the soul.

St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

How was St. Faustina able to discourage such adversaries? She believed in and hoped in Jesus, God of Mercy, Who does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. In this Year of Mercy, let us open our hearts wide to Him Who is Love and repeat the words Jesus taught St. Faustina: “Jesus, I trust in You”. Let us patiently wait for Him to overcome the evil adversary, knowing He is there before we ask, putting a limit on evil, and enabling us by His Grace to withstand the enemy.

Mary our Mother of Mercy also intercedes for her children now and at the hour of our death. Truly we need not let our hearts be troubled or be afraid (cf John 14:1). By His Grace, we can wait patiently in order to grow in Faith, Hope and above all Love in all adversity.