The official blog of Gary Zimak - Catholic Author, Speaker, Radio Host and Evangelist

Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Saying “Yes”!

Jun 17th, 2013

“If you want to do something for the Lord, do it! Whatever you feel needs to be done, even though you’re shaking in your boots and you’re scared to death – take the first step. The grace comes with that first step, and you get the grace as you step. Being afraid is not a problem. It’s doing nothing when you’re afraid, that’s the problem.” (Mother Angelica)

It’s okay to be afraid.

Are you kidding me? The author of A Worrier’s Guide To The Bible and a frequent speaker on conquering anxiety is saying that there’s nothing wrong with being afraid…what’s going on here? Well, friends, I really did mean what I said. As I often state in my parish talks, fear is a perfectly normal emotion in certain circumstances. It can even be helpful, especially when it motivates us to DO something. On the other hand, fear becomes a problem when it leads to worry or causes us to NOT do something that we should do.

God often asks us to do things that frighten us…

Share our Faith with others, some of whom may react in a hostile manner.

Apologize to someone we have offended.

Trust in His providence by accepting a lesser paying, but more rewarding job.

Offer up our illness or suffering.

Two years ago, after dismissing the idea numerous times as being “impossible”, my wife and I felt that we were being called to homeschool our children. Although we were afraid and skeptical, we trusted (barely) that the Lord would be there for us. We said, “yes”. A few months later, I was laid off from my day job, and we decided that I should finally try to earn a living as a full time Catholic Evangelist. Again, we again said, “yes”. To be totally honest, however, we were scared to death both times. What we’ve discovered in the past two years is that if you say “yes” to the Lord (even if you’re terrified), He can do some incredible things in your life. Even better is that, the more you trust, the more He’ll increase your faith.

The Bible contains numerous stories of people who went along with God’s plan for their lives. Moses, Abraham, Jonah (reluctantly!), Samuel, Isaiah, Mary, Sts. Peter and Paul all said “yes” to the Lord without knowing most of the details. As a result, God was able to use them in amazing ways. In the same way, He wants to use us. Best of all, even our fear isn’t enough to thwart His plans. The only thing that will stop it from happening is when we answer with one word…

“No”!

Posted in: anxiety, Christian Living, faith, fear, trust, worry, Zimak family.

Congratulations, Mary And Elizabeth!

Jun 14th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

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A few years ago, my wife Eileen and I got the “crazy” idea that we should homeschool our daughters. They were in the sixth grade at the time, but we felt that the Lord was telling us we should do what we previously thought to be impossible. We prayed for several months, attending a Catholic homeschool conference and talked to many people. Finally, we reached the decision to move forward, believing (kind of) that if God really was calling us to do this, He would provide the needed graces. In September of 2011, Mary and Elizabeth started the seventh grade with their teacher, Eileen. After a shaky start (lots of adjustment for all), things got even crazier a few months later when I was laid off from my job as a project manager. Eileen and I then reached the “even crazier than homeschooling” decision that I should try to “make it” as a full time Catholic Evangelist!

After two amazing years, Mary and Elizabeth graduated from the eighth grade this week. I couldn’t be prouder of them and their wonderful teacher(a.k.a. my lovely wife). They have all worked very hard and have done a FANTASTIC job. Since I’m working at home, I had the privilege of being their religion teacher this year and they both received an “A+”! This experience has drawn us closer together as a family and we’ve learned the meaning of the phrase “if God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it”.

Congratulations, Mary and Elizabeth. Your Mom and Dad are VERY proud of you. And, while I’m at it, I’d like all of you to know just how much I love and respect Eileen for sacrificing so much for the sake of our girls. She’s taught me the meaning of the word “selfless”. Thank you, Jesus, for providing us all with this great opportunity to do your will. Please guide us as we continue this amazing journey!

Posted in: Christian Living, faith, family, homeschool.

Listen To Your Blessed Mother: Confusion

Jun 8th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

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“How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Luke 1:34)

One day, God dispatched an angel named Gabriel to a city of Galilee named Nazareth. He urged her to not be afraid and assured Mary that she had found favor with God. Then he proceeded to explain the purpose of his visit, a purpose which would be enough to make most people afraid. Mary was given the details of a plan that would have her conceiving a son. That son, named Jesus, “will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” (Lk 1:32-33) While you and I may look at these words and be confused as to what’s being asked, a devout Jewish girl would have known exactly what was being stated. Mary was being asked to become the mother of the Messiah!

After the angel finished speaking, Mary was confused and asked a simple question – “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” (Lk 1:34) Some people will look at Mary’s words and wrongly conclude that her faith was weak. She’ll be compared to Zechariah who, a few verses earlier, doubted Gabriel’s prophecy about the pregnancy of his wife. Didn’t Mary and Zechariah both doubt the angel’s message? Not at all. Mary believed and Zechariah doubted. How do I know, you might ask? The answer lies in Gabriel’s reaction. After Zechariah’s question, the angel stated that he “didn’t believe his words” (Lk 1:20). Mary received no such rebuke because, unlike Zechariah, she was simply asking for details.

Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that, although Mary was sinless, she was still human. Being chosen to become the mother of God didn’t automatically give her all the answers. Like us, there were times when Mary had questions about God’s will. Even though she always wanted to follow the Lord’s plan for her life, she was sometimes confused and needed to discern His will. As for Our Lady’s question to the angel, some background is necessary in order to understand what she is asking. The common belief of many theologians throughout the years (including Blessed Pope John Paul II, St. Augustine and St. Gregory of Nyssa) is that Mary was confused because she had consecrated her virginity to the Lord. Although unusual for married people, this practice was not unheard of in Mary’s time. This theory is supported by looking at Gabriel’s words. He told Mary that she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus. He didn’t say when, only that it would happen at some point in time. Since Mary was engaged to Joseph, it would be expected that she’d bear his children, therefore there’s nothing unusual about the message…unless she vowed to remain a virgin. Always desiring to do what’s right, Mary made a decision to do what she thought was best, but then Gabriel appeared with some new information. When informed that God wanted her to have a child, Mary needed to reevaluate her plan. Wanting to fulfill the will of God in her life, she needed to ask the important question. How can this be? Please tell me the details so I can cooperate with God’s plan. Far from doubting, Our Lady was pondering Gabriel’s astonishing message and was asking for guidance in carrying out God’s will.

Mary’s words to the angel remind us that it’s perfectly acceptable to ask questions. If you feel that God is asking you to do something, but you’re not sure how it’s possible, go ahead and ask Him for details. Mary did. If you’re carrying a heavy cross and can’t understand why, ask the Lord to enlighten you. Unfortunately, I can’t promise that you’ll get the answer you want. Instead, the Lord’s answer may be, “trust me”. If that’s the case, you may be asked (like Mary) to go along with His plan without knowing all of the fine details. If you have a difficult time doing that…join the club! However, don’t ever forget that Mary can help you tremendously. As someone who’s “been there, done that”, she knows exactly what you’re going through. Turn to her and ask her to share some of her faith with you. I can guarantee you that, as stated in the Memorare, “never was it known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought her intercession was left unaided.”

The Message: God has a plan for my life and wants to make it known to me. Through prayer and careful listening, I can become aware of that plan and put it into action.

(The above is an excerpt from Listen To Your Blessed Mother – Mary’s Words In Scripture, the latest book from Gary Zimak. As someone who always sought to follow God’s will, Mary can teach us how to be better Christians and will help us to grow closer to Jesus. By looking very carefully at Our Lady’s words and actions as recorded in the Bible, we can “hear” her voice and benefit greatly from her motherly advice.)

PREORDER NOW AT A 20 % DISCOUNT!!!

Posted in: Blessed Mother, books, Gary's Book, Listen To Your Blessed Mother, Marian, Mary, Mother of God.

Total Consecration Begins On September 4th!

May 29th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

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I’m pleased to announce that, beginning on September 4th, I’ll once again be leading Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary on my daily BlogTalkRadio show. This year, I’m thrilled that we’ll be using the acclaimed book 33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration by Fr. Michael Gaitley as the basis for our 33 day preparation!

What exactly is Total (or Marian) consecration? According to Fr. Gaitley, Marian consecration means “giving Mary our full permission to complete her motherly task in us, which is to form us into other Christs”. The preparation period will involve 33 days of meditation and prayer, based on the spirituality of St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximillian Kolbe, Blessed Mother Teresa and Blessed Pope John Paul II. After making our way through the preparation phase we will then make (or renew) or Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary on October 7th, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

Why should you consecrate your life to Jesus through Mary? Here are a few reasons…

“The more we honor the Blessed Virgin, the more we honor Jesus Christ, because we honor Mary only that we may more perfectly honor Jesus, since we go to her only as the way by which we are to find the end we are seeking, which is Jesus.” (Saint Louis de Montfort)

“There is no surer or easier way than Mary in uniting all men with Christ.” (Pope St. Pius X)

“We are convinced without any doubt that devotion to Our Lady is essentially joined with devotion to Christ.” (Pope Paul VI)

Interested? Want to find out more? Simply enter your email address below and press the “Join Now” button and you’ll be placed on our email mailing list. I’ll be sending out periodic emails to provide more information and guide you through the process. It costs nothing and there is no obligation. As it was for Blessed Pope John Paul II and many others throughout the years, Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary was a life changing experience for me and I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who desires a closer relationship with Jesus. Sign up TODAY and please tell your friends!

Posted in: Blessed Mother, Marian, Mary, St. Louis de Montfort Consecration, Total Consecration.

Feeling Depressed and Hopeless? Turn To Saint Jude!

May 24th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

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One of the blessings granted to me by the Lord is the opportunity to encounter many people who are suffering. While this hardly sounds like a blessing, I consider it an honor because I’m able to share His “Good News” and bring some peace into their lives. Jesus told us repeatedly that we can experience His peace even in the midst of extreme suffering and trials. We often get so battered and worn, however, that we lose sight of this message. When this happens, it’s important to reach out to others and ask them to carry us in prayer. As Catholics, we are blessed by our belief in the Communion of Saints. As a result we can also turn to the saints in heaven and ask them to intercede for us. Throughout the years, St. Jude the Apostle has become known as the patron saint of hopeless causes. Many of you will read this and immediately reply, “that’s me”! If you are tired, weary, depressed and feeling hopeless, I invite you to pray the following prayer. I found it in a Saint Jude prayer booklet and thought it may prove helpful. If you are reading this post, rest assured that you will be in my daily prayers as well. Don’t give up…things WILL get better!

Prayer To St. Jude For The DepressedSt. Jude, friend to those in need, I am weary from grief and anxiety. I am often without joy, without hope, struggling through the dark night of the soul. I turn to you in prayer. Take away this emptiness and the pain of my broken heart. In your compassion, wipe away my tears and carry me to a place of peace. Too long have I been blind to the goodness of God’s world. Help me to take my life one day at a time, one moment at a time, and to be aware of God’s love for me always. Heal me. I yearn to feel, to bathe in light and joy. Envelop me in brightness, and do not hold back. And I promise, if you should see me fit to receive these gifts, I will share them always. Amen.

Posted in: anxiety, fear, inspiration, prayer, suffering, worry.

Confused About Eucharistic Adoration? Vinny Flynn Can Help!

May 20th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

15 comments

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Eucharistic Adoration. I greatly look forward to the time that I spend before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. When I’m with Him, I feel at peace and the time seems to fly. That wasn’t always the case with me, however. I used to be very confused about the idea of praying before the Blessed Sacrament. I had trouble understanding the point. Isn’t Jesus everywhere? Why do I need to go to the adoration chapel to speak with Him?

Fortunately for me, I was influenced by some very holy people, including my late Mother-In-Law, Betty. She would faithfully pay visits to the chapel to spend time with Jesus. After listening to her speak about the experience, I decided that I needed to give it a try. Although I’d been to adoration in the past and found it to be rather dry , I thought that things would now be different. I heard Betty speak about how great it is to spend time with Jesus, so I was all ready to experience the same thing. I signed up for a regular holy hour and when I got to the chapel, I sat down and thought to myself, “Now what”? I’ve got an hour…do I pray? Do I talk? Do I listen? Do I just sit here? I was completely frozen!

It took me a long time and a lot of research to answer those questions and, to be honest, I still wonder about these things sometimes. That’s why I was so pleased when I was asked to host the initial stop on Vinny Flynn’s blog tour for his new book, 21 Ways To Worship (A Guide To Eucharistic Adoration). I was even more pleased as I read the book and discovered that he answered ALL of my questions – past and present!

In an easy to read and entertaining way, Vinny Flynn gives us 21 different suggestions for what to do while we’re adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. More importantly, he makes a strong case for WHY we should adore Our Lord in this manner. I know it’s a well used cliche, but this is one book “you won’t be able to put down”! Once I started reading, I kept saying, “I’ll read one more chapter” and, before you know it, I was finished the book. I’m also looking forward to my next visit with Jesus so I can put some of these suggestions into practice.

Whether you’re struggling to understand why to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament or simply looking for suggestions on how to worship Him once you’re there, this book will satisfy your needs in a BIG way. I highly recommend it and urge you to not only buy a copy, but to move it to the top of your “reading stack” as soon as you do!

Want to win a free copy of 21 Ways To Worship? Just comment on this post and I’ll randomly select one winner, who will receive a copy. The contest closes at 12 Midnight (Eastern Time) on Saturday, May 25, 2013.

Posted in: book reviews, books, Eucharist, Eucharistic Adoration.

Jesus Wasn’t Kidding When He Said We’d Be Hated!

May 2nd, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

2 comments

You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives. (Luke 21:17-19)

I can just about guarantee that as soon as you start mentioning Jesus, someone will get annoyed. Need some proof? Take a look at former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who makes no secret of his love for Jesus. He has been criticized for mentioning the Lord’s name, but remains true to his beliefs. While people will tolerate our religious beliefs to a point, speaking about Christ will eventually cause a negative response in many situations. I’m sure you’ve heard the recommendation that religion is one of two things (politics being the other) that shouldn’t be discussed in the workplace. Why? Because proclaiming the “Good News” of Jesus Christ causes division. When taken seriously, our Catholic Faith can be very challenging. Many individuals aren’t open to the Church’s moral guidelines, choosing to decide for themselves what they will believe. Even the simple act of verbalizing our own religious beliefs (with no hint of preaching) will cause a backlash, especially if it occurs in the workplace.

Although this negative reaction might not feel good, we can’t say we weren’t warned. On several occasions, Jesus mentioned that His followers (that’s us) would be hated. No surprise there…we all have our enemies and we know that some folks don’t like religion. What sometimes catches us off guard, however, is when the hatred comes from an unlikely source. In one of the most challenging passages in all of Scripture, the Lord warns that His teaching will cause division even within families!

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’ (Matthew 10:34-36)

This passage absolutely drives people crazy. Isn’t Jesus’ entire mission one of peace and love? What’s with this talk of “the sword” and division within families? Although the Lord is using hyperbole to grab the listeners’ attention, He does mean what He says. If we truly live our lives as followers of Christ, we are going to ruffle some feathers. There is no reason to believe that this will not happen within our families. For instance, your husband may want to practice contraception and you may desire to follow the teaching of the Church. Your children may not see anything wrong with illegally downloading music while you object, knowing that it’s a sin. You may be longing to get married and finally meet someone who is divorced and cannot get married in the Church. In each of these cases, we must make a decision. What choice do we make? The Lord makes it very clear in the following verse:

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)

Being hated in the name of Jesus (especially by a family member) is not easy, but the reward is great. Our Lord promises that if we persevere, we will be saved. While we are always called to repay hatred with love, we cannot compromise our moral beliefs in order to please another person. Whether we encounter resistance from a known opponent or from a family member, we are expected to respond in the same manner. By persevering and obeying the Lord’s commands, we will achieve eternal life.

Help us to always remain faithful to You, Lord. Even when we encounter opposition from a loved one, may we always have the strength to persevere and never compromise our moral beliefs.

Posted in: Catholic Life, hatred, persecution, suffering.

An Urgent Plea For Prayers

Apr 20th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

3 comments

I receive many requests to pray for people, but this is one of the most heart breaking pleas that I’ve seen in a long time. This young woman needs a miracle! Although her situation looks grim, we know that “what is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27). A novena to Saint Gianna (asking for a miraculous healing) begins today (April 20). If you’d like to participate, please use the link below to sign up and receive email updates. If you’d rather pray on your own, that would be fine too. Jesus assures us that “everyone who asks receives” (Matthew 7:8), so please join me and thousands of others in praying for the miraculous healing that WE KNOW IS POSSIBLE! Please share this request with others.

I am writing this email in the hopes of asking you to join me in a special time of prayer for one of my closest long-term friends, Pamela, a 37 year old wife and stay-at-home mother to three young boys (ages 6, 4 and 19 months). And she is currently about 25 weeks pregnant with baby number 4.

About two months ago, Pamela began experiencing severe migraines which her doctors believed were pregnancy-related. But as they treated her and she did not improve, they did an MRI only to discover a massive tumor on her brain. She immediately had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Over 90% was removed, but it was impossible to get all of it. Thankfully, baby came through surgery just fine. Then the pathology report came– bringing incredibly heart-wrenching news. Pamela has aggressive,stage 4 brain cancer. She was given a bleak prognosis of living an average of 13 months. As devastating as this diagnosis is, it is all the more complicated by her pregnancy. She cannot begin all of the recommended treatments immediately, and there are some very difficult (almost impossible) decisions to make regarding care for baby balanced with her own care.

In short, Pamela needs a miracle. Both she and her husband are people of deep faith. They are desperate for Christ’s healing touch, and are seeking the wisdom of God in all their decisions.

I have taken on their cause and have been committed to asking as many people as possible to pray for Pamela and her family. Specifically, I am feeling called to do a novena to St. Gianna (an Italian wife and mother of three, who discovered a tumor on her uterus during pregnancy with her fourth baby, and died soon after delivering her.) St. Gianna’s feast day is April 28, so I will be praying April 20-28 specifically for Pamela’s healing. Would you consider joining me in prayer for this dear sister?

I have set up an email notification so that you can sign up to receive the novena prayer for the nine days. (I promise there will be no more emails beyond this.) In addition to the prayer there will be a short story either about the life of St. Gianna, or about Pamela so those of you who don’t know this lovely woman can have a sense of who you’re praying for.

If you’d like to sign up, here is the link:

https://tinyletter.com/propamela

Because I have set this up online, feel free to forward this link to anyone you know who might also be interested in praying for Pamela. Really, the more prayer, the better. Thank you for reading, and being willing to consider joining me in prayer.

Posted in: intentions, prayer.

A Prayer For An End To Worry

Apr 18th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

1 comment

Earlier today, I discovered this prayer in a “Healing and Hope” prayer book published by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. It may very well be the BEST prayer that I’ve ever seen on the subject of worry. If you’re worried about something, I recommend that you pray the following words from your heart. And if you’re someone who has a tendency to worry about lots of things, be sure to bookmark this page or print a copy. It’s really THAT good!

Prayer For An End To WorryJesus, you know I am a worrier. I don’t want to be. I believe that God, our Father, will take care of me, but sometimes I question the strength of my faith. Many times, I give my worries to You, and then I take them back. Help me to take control of those worries I can do something about and let go of the worries that are out of my hands. I fret about many things, yet from experience, I know that you take care of my needs. No matter what happens, I can count on You to be by my side. Still at times I am weak, questioning my own abilities, and before I know it, again I am worrying. You are my hope, Jesus and I trust You. Heal me of this weakness, Jesus. Give me peace of mind. Help me direct my energy to action, not worry. Amen.

Posted in: anxiety, faith, fear, prayer, worry.

Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?

Apr 16th, 2013

by Gary Zimak.

1 comment

Why would a loving God allow bad things to happen?

Yesterday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon certainly brings this question to the minds of many people. If God really loves us, why does He allow us to suffer? Why does He permit terrorism, child abuse and natural disasters to occur? While the brutally honest and truthful answer is that “He’s God and He knows what He’s doing”, there are a few specific points that can help us to better understand these tragedies. And, quite frankly, understanding them can often make the difference between moving closer to the Lord or turning our backs on Him.

Free Will – God loves us so much that He gives us the gift of free will. This means that while we are free to do good, we also have the ability to do evil. The person or persons who caused the explosions in Boston chose to commit an evil act. In no way did God cause this to happen. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):

Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus has moral evil, incommensurably more harmful than physical evil, entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it. (CCC 311)

Greater Good – In his Letter To The Romans, St. Paul states that “We know that IN EVERYTHING God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine) Not just the good things, but the bad things too. How is it possible that good can result from the mutilation and murder of innocent people? While I don’t claim to understand all of God’s reasons, there are a few obvious ones that stand out. When tragedy occurs, we get to see people helping one another. Every time a tragedy takes place, there are numerous stories of heroism and genuine love of neighbor that emerge. We also see an increase in prayer. Many people who aren’t used to praying suddenly “hit their knees”. We’re also reminded of our mortality and how we’re not really in control of our own destiny.

In time we can discover that God in his almighty providence can bring a good from the consequences of an evil, even a moral evil, caused by his creatures: “It was not you”, said Joseph to his brothers, “who sent me here, but God. . . You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.” From the greatest moral evil ever committed – the rejection and murder of God’s only Son, caused by the sins of all men – God, by his grace that “abounded all the more”,brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption. But for all that, evil never becomes a good. (CCC 312)

Trust – When tragic events occur, we are given an opportunity to trust God. It is during the dark times that we must truly “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). When skies are blue, it’s a lot easier for us to trust than during storms. However, storms often give us the best chance to grow closer to the Lord.

We firmly believe that God is master of the world and of its history. But the ways of his providence are often unknown to us. Only at the end, when our partial knowledge ceases, when we see God “face to face”, will we fully know the ways by which – even through the dramas of evil and sin – God has guided his creation to that definitive sabbath rest for which he created heaven and earth. (CCC 314)

An Invitation – When bad things happen, either in our own life or in the lives of others, we are invited to assist God in bringing good out of evil. We can do this by praying. Although the Lord doesn’t need our help, He allows us to help Him through the act of prayer.

Since Abraham, intercession – asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of praying for those who do him harm. (CCC 2635)

Heaven – As much as we’d like it to be, this world is not perfect. Pain and suffering do exist. Accepting this will cause us to remain calm when these events occur. In addition, it will increase our desire for heaven, where there is NO PAIN AND SUFFERING!

We can therefore hope in the glory of heaven promised by God to those who love him and do his will. In every circumstance, each one of us should hope, with the grace of God, to persevere “to the end” and to obtain the joy of heaven, as God’s eternal reward for the good works accomplished with the grace of Christ.

Although it’s not easy, it’s crucial for us to keep our eye on the Lord when “bad things” happen. Blaming Him for the suffering, although understandable, is neither accurate or wise. If we truly believe that He loves us, we should strive to see His goodness in everything. Doing so will bring us great peace, even in times of turmoil.

Posted in: anxiety, evil, faith, fear, suffering, worry.