Episode 2600: Trusting God's Will through Trials and Faithfulness - Morning Episode

Introduction: Trusting God's Providence and Embracing the Cross
Welcome to today’s episode, where we explore what it means to remain faithful in trials and trust in God's providence, even when life feels overwhelming. We’ll reflect on powerful insights from St. Isaac Jogues and Raoul Lus, S.J., along with Scripture that sheds light on the role of suffering in the Christian life.
Suffering can be bewildering. It’s often tempting to question God’s goodness when difficulties arise. Yet, we know from our Catholic faith that trials are never meaningless they are opportunities for purification, growth, and deeper union with Christ. As 1 Peter 3:17-18 reminds us:
"For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God."

Today, we will discuss how to endure trials with gratitude and faith, trusting that God’s plan, though mysterious, is always for our good and His glory.
Segment 1: God’s Work Does Not Depend on Us
Let’s begin with the words of St. Isaac Jogues, the Jesuit missionary and martyr:
"My confidence is placed in God who does not need our help for accomplishing his designs. Our single endeavor should be to give ourselves to the work and to be faithful to him, and not to spoil his work by our shortcomings."
Jogues reminds us of a profound truth: God’s plans are not dependent on our success or perfection. When we face challenges or setbacks, we might feel discouraged, thinking we’ve failed in God’s work. But God is sovereign He can bring good even from our weaknesses and mistakes. Our task is not to achieve perfection on our own but to remain faithful to the mission He has entrusted to us.
This is a comforting truth. It means that even when things seem to fall apart, God is still in control. He asks us to trust Him, to persevere in the work He gives us, and to allow His grace to perfect what is lacking in us. As St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “God has not called me to be successful. He has called me to be faithful.”
The saints understood that faithfulness especially in difficult times is a powerful witness to the world. Their lives teach us that we are not the ones in control; God is. And His will is always for our ultimate good, even if we cannot see it in the moment.
Segment 2: Finding God's Heart in Suffering
Suffering has a unique place in the Christian life. In the words of Raoul Lus, S.J.:
"When a trial is sent to us, it is more difficult than at other times to know how to be thankful to God. We need to acquire sufficient supernatural strength in order to believe that God remains a Father when He makes us feel the weight of the Cross. Behind the suffering that occupies the foreground, we must learn to discover the heart of the One who, by this trial, wishes either to make us grow more spiritually, to permit us to expiate our sins, or to identify us more with His divine Son and to make us participate more fully in the Redemption."

Lus captures a difficult but essential truth: in trials, God’s love is often hidden, but it is still there. He allows suffering not to harm us, but to form us. Sometimes, trials are a means of purification, expiating the consequences of sin or detaching us from worldly attachments. Other times, they are a way to grow in spiritual maturity, drawing us closer to Christ by sharing in His Cross.
We see this clearly in 1 Peter 3:17-18, where St. Peter teaches that it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is God’s will, than for doing evil. Christ Himself suffered, not for His own sins, but for ours. And by uniting our trials to His, we participate in His redeeming work. St. Paul echoes this in Colossians 1:24: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church.”
Practical Ways to Remain Faithful in Trials
Daily Prayer of Surrender: Begin each day by entrusting your worries and challenges to God. A simple prayer such as “Jesus, I trust in You” helps to align your heart with His will.
The Sacrament of Confession: Confession not only removes the burden of sin but strengthens us with grace to endure trials with patience and faith.
Meditate on the Passion of Christ: Reflecting on Christ’s suffering helps us remember that no trial we face is beyond His understanding. As St. John Vianney said, “Our crosses are few when we consider His.”
Seek the Intercession of the Saints: Saints like St. Isaac Jogues who endured immense suffering for Christ can inspire us to remain faithful in our trials.
Acts of Charity: In the midst of our own suffering, reaching out to help others can lighten our burdens and remind us that we are never alone.
Conclusion: Faithful to the End
In this episode, we’ve reflected on the importance of trusting in God’s providence, even in the face of trials. St. Isaac Jogues reminds us that God does not need us to be perfect; He only asks for faithfulness. And Raoul Lus, S.J. teaches us to see beyond the immediate pain of suffering, trusting that every trial carries within it an invitation to grow closer to Christ.

In the words of 1 Peter 3:17-18, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. When we embrace suffering for the sake of Christ, we participate in His redemptive work and grow in holiness. As Catholics, we are called to trust that God remains a loving Father, even when life is difficult.
May we always trust in His plan, remain faithful in our trials, and embrace the Cross with love, knowing that it leads to resurrection.
Closing Prayer:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. Grant us the grace to trust You in all things and to remain faithful, even when the path is difficult. Help us to carry our crosses with joy, knowing that You are always working for our good. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, may we grow in holiness and become living witnesses of Your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thank you for joining us today. May you walk faithfully in God’s will, trust in His providence, and embrace every trial as an opportunity to grow closer to Christ. Until next time, may the peace of Christ be with you.