Why Hope?

[jwder09]

In times of great pain, such as my family and I are now enduring, very well intentioned people have encouraged me not to give up hope for a positive outcome. Time and time again I’ve come to face that hope simply prolongs the agony of an uncertain outcome. As for faith, I can accept no more than that God’s will is God’s will. He will do as he chooses. The end result is his own. Should I disregard positive signs? Should I disregard those who encourage me to have hope for a positive outcome? I wish I could; but, I can’t I hear and observe both positive and negative; and frankly, this angers me.

My marriage is in a deep state of crises right now. I reached out to my parish priest. My inclination is to accept the worst as inevitable and to dismiss those who offer me stories and examples meant to encourage a positive outcome. But, after meeting with my parish priest, I could not help but to feel reason to hope that my marriage would, in the end, remain intact, and strengthened. There are positive signs. There are negative signs. There is no certainty. Comfort, such as I felt after having met with my parish priest, is fleeting.

Is it God’s will that my marriage survive? Is it not? Do I lend any credibility to the council of others? In the end, I know only that God will do as God will do. Please pray for the preservation of my marriage and family. Please accept my apologies for the this meandering rant. May God bless each of you.

 

[Hecares]

In times of crisis, the pain can be great. My heart and prayers go out to you. Great pain can be overwhelming so that it is all you think about, all you feel. It can block the rest of reality from your conciousness. God is goodness, truth, mercy, love. Through all your trials, as well as your triumphs, God is there with you.

That gives me hope - that goodness, truth, and love exist and are there for me if I can accept them. God is all merciful. He will forgive our greatest transgressions and bring us comfort and peace. As you mentioned, His will is not always our will; but if we let Him, he will bring us out of what seems like hell and back into a life in His love. Accepting His will, whatever it may be, brings us peace which helps us to deal with unpleasant situations. Praying, which involves listening as well as talking, helps us to develop a relationship with God. This is a big help to me in times of trouble.

I have signs all over my house saying, “Hope”. They remind me that God is with me and that things have always gotten better after troubled times; so I have hope that they will again. God bless you!