Episode 2581: Living Through Trials in the Light of Divine Providence - Nightly Episode

Welcome to tonight’s episode! As Christians, we know that suffering is an unavoidable part of life. However, Psalm 118 reminds us that suffering never has the last word: "I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord." Even when God chastises us, He does not abandon us but uses every trial for our sanctification.
Today, we’ll explore the profound meaning of Divine Providence. As Hubert Van Zeller beautifully explains, God's Providence is not random but deliberate each joy and trial is permitted for our ultimate good. Sometimes He grants us the grace to endure suffering, and other times, He gives us joy to enjoy. But in both, His hand is at work, forming us into saints. We’ll reflect on how to trust God during hardships and how to live with the confidence that His grace is always enough for every moment.
Trusting God’s Providence in Trials
The word "providence" comes from the Latin providere, meaning "to see beforehand." This means that nothing in our lives takes God by surprise. Every joy and trial that comes to us has already passed through His loving hands. But Divine Providence isn't just about God’s foresight it’s about His deep, personal care for us.
When trials come, it can be easy to feel abandoned by God. But as Van Zeller reminds us, “God has allowed this particular trial for our sanctification.” Every hardship, no matter how painful, is a tool in God’s hands to purify our souls. Through suffering, God strips away our attachments to sin, draws us closer to Him, and refines our love. When we see suffering as part of God’s Providence, we begin to understand that even our darkest moments are filled with meaning.
Psalm 118 captures this perfectly: “The Lord has chastened me sorely, but he has not given me over to death.” While God permits suffering, He never abandons us. Our sufferings are not a punishment without purpose but a discipline from a Father who desires our sanctification.
The Grace to Endure and the Grace to Enjoy
Van Zeller speaks beautifully of how Providence provides for both joy and suffering. Sometimes God grants us moments of peace and consolation to rest in Him. Other times, He asks us to walk through suffering. In both situations, God supplies exactly the grace we need.
This is a powerful reminder that we should not be afraid of life's changing seasons. When God grants us joy, we can receive it gratefully. When He permits suffering, we can trust that His grace will sustain us. As Van Zeller says, “One grace, now another: it depends on which grace He sees we need more at this particular moment.” God knows our hearts better than we know ourselves, and He is always providing the right grace at the right time.
Recounting the Deeds of the Lord in Our Lives
Psalm 118 encourages us to respond to God’s Providence by recounting His deeds. When we reflect on the ways God has been faithful in the past, it strengthens our trust for the future. This act of recounting is not just for our benefit but for others. Sharing testimonies of how God has worked in our lives helps others to trust Him in their own struggles.
Even in times of trial, there is always something to praise God for. Gratitude opens our hearts to recognize His presence, even in suffering. When we choose to live with gratitude, we witness to the world that God is faithful, that His Providence never fails, and that even in suffering, we are never without hope.
Conclusion:
The journey of faith is one of trust trusting that God’s Providence is working in all circumstances, even when we don’t understand it. As Psalm 118 reminds us, we are called to live, not just survive, and to recount the works of the Lord. This means living with the confidence that God’s grace is enough, whether He gives us joy or asks us to endure suffering.
Remember, the trials you face today are not meaningless; they are part of God’s loving plan to sanctify you. His Providence sees what you need and provides accordingly. As we grow in trust, we become living witnesses of God’s faithfulness, showing the world that no matter what comes, God is with us, and His grace will carry us through.
Closing Prayer:
Let us close with a prayer, entrusting ourselves to God's Providence:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your constant care and for the gift of Your Providence, which guides every moment of our lives. In joy, help us to rejoice with grateful hearts, and in suffering, teach us to endure with trust, knowing that every trial is part of Your plan to sanctify us.
Grant us the grace to see Your hand at work in all circumstances and to live with the confidence that Your love never fails. Strengthen our hearts to recount Your deeds, sharing Your faithfulness with others so that they too may trust in Your mercy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for listening today! Remember, God’s Providence is always at work in your life whether in moments of joy or in times of suffering. Trust in His plan, live with gratitude, and recount His deeds. May the peace of Christ be with you, and may His grace sustain you through all things. Until next time, God bless!