I have been guilty of being one of those people who always felt sorry for themselves because it seemed that I would get out of one problem to go right into another. When I reflect back through the years, I see a pattern of surviving but not living. I have spent most of my time sleepwalking through life because God was not in the center of my life. It wasn't until Our Blessed Mother gave me a good...really good wake-up call that now I see things clearly! I will eternally be grateful to Our Blessed Mother for not giving up on me.
No matter what problems you have in your life, God is the answer. He may not give you what you ask for in your prayers because we only see our life through our limited understanding. God sees our lives as part of His Master Plan so He will only send us what fits in and what will allow us to obtain the gift of eternal salvation.
There are two reasons we suffer in this world. The first reason and the most common one is that we lack God in our life. We exercise our free will to make choices that get us farther away from God which only immerses us deeper into darkness. God respects our right to choose so He does not stop us but will wait in the sidelines for us to receive He is the missing ingredient.
The second reason we suffer is that we do have God in our life but once you choose to follow God the road becomes full of trials and tribulations. Eternal salvation is not earned by simply saying "I believe". Throughout the Bible you read how God has tested His people. God is so merciful and compassion though that if you offer your sufferings to Him, the cross no longer seems impossible to carry. Even though you may have suffering but you will also have light in your life. You read the stories of saints that suffered terribly for their faith but yet you see pictures of them and they exude light and a happiness that is not of this earth.
We live in a time of crisis. People are losing jobs, homes and the financial pressure is crumpling families. Hunger and illnesses are on the rise. If you haven't said 'Yes' to God yet, now is the time to reflect through your life and finally open your heart. We can all find a way to survive but surviving is not living and surviving will not open the gate to Heaven one day for you.
You must understand and believe that this life is just a mere passage way to your eternal life. You and only you will have the power to choose your final destination. Heaven or Hell? If you died tomorrow, would you be spiritually ready? We can't keep procrastinating and feeling like the end of the world is a far away time from us. Look at how many people leave their homes in the morning and never make it back home that night from either accidents, terrorist attack and so many other ways you can be at the wrong time wrong place. We must take our faith seriously and thank God each day for His love, mercy and for the price he paid for our salvation.
Overcome your problems through prayer. Your greatest weapon in life is prayer. Don't be intimidated by all the prayers out there and devotions. You can start out with baby steps and just do the Sign of the Cross and start talking to God. This is also a form of prayer. He will hear your prayer. As you consistently pray, you will begin to feel the need to pray the rosary, read scripture and incorporate chaplets and other devotions. It all will happen when the time is right for you. The Holy Spirit will illuminate you and guide you well.
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