You know those little signs you see in shop windows when the proprietor has stepped out, that read, "Be back soon!" and has a little clock dial to show when you can expect the store to reopen?
Right now I feel as if God has hung one up for me and the clock dial is set to "Infinity, " or, at the very least, "At Some Point As Yet to Be Determined."
The French speak subtlely of one having une crise de nerfs, so let me say that personal issues seem to be causing une crise de foi for me this week. I am not one for hanging my laundry in public, but if anyone knows a good prayer for patience and perserverance, I would appreciate it.
Update: Oh, and I also seem to have lost any feeling of compassion for people. I'm tired of stupidity, I'm tired of whining, and I'm tired of people just being idiots. And I am including myself in the mix. Of course, maybe this is natural - with faith on uneasy grounds, good works were sure to follow.
5 comments:
Which prayer I'd recommend rather depends on details that you'd probably rather not go into, so let me suggest a few. I hope at least one of them is helpful.
Peace. Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow. The same Everlasting Father Who cares for us today, will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations. (St. Francis de Sales)
My adorable Savior, grant me the grace to accept this trial from Your hands not only patiently but cheerfully. You love sacrifices made in joy, and the perfection of my offering is to show gratitude when I am tried. Help me see that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to coem that shall be revealed in us. may I profit from this visitation of Your mercy by resigning myself to Your will, and generously cooperating with the grace You offer to expiate my sins and grow in likeness of You, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen. (unknown - in my Fr. Hardon prayer book)
Above all the graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit which Christ gives to His friends is that of conquering oneself and willingly enduring sufferings, insults, humiliations, and hardships for the love of Christ. For we cannot glory in all those other marvelous gifts of God, as they are not ours but God's, as the Apostle says; "What have you that you have not received?"
But we can glory in the cross of tribulations because that is ours, and so the Apostle says; "I will not glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!" (St. Francis of Assisi)
And these are some maxims of St. Ignatius:
*The more desperate things seem, the more we must hope in God. Where human efforts fail, there before us waits the divine assistance.
*We can do nothing that is pleasing to God without throwing the world into confusion and creating a turmoil in hell.
*It is characteristic of the Divine Goodness to protect with greater wisdom whatever the devil assaults with greater violence.
*Do not place your confidence in constant good fortune. Rather be apprehensive, for in this life everything changes at the slightest provocation.
And please know I'll be praying for you.
:(
Sorry to hear that, Digi.
Feel better soon!
No, do not ask for patience--because God will keep sending people to try your patience! I never pray for patience!
But, here's my favorite prayer when dealing with chronic whining: "Lord, these people are driving me crazy--your teaching me patience--and I'm failing miserably--please--how much longer will you make me endure them?" LOL.
Tara, how about "Lord, give me the wisdom to know where to dump the bodies so they're never found?"
hmmmm...I like yours better!
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