Be Not Afraid with Gary Zimak
Yesterday, I wrote about the shortsightedness of the Israelites as they struggled to rebuild the temple. Unable to picture the finished product, they became discouraged and were about to give up until God intervened with a much needed pep talk. We may not even realize it, but we fall into the same trap just about every day. We’re praying for a miracle, we’re trying to become more like Christ, we’re waiting for a family member to return to church and nothing seems to be happening. In our frustration we give up, thinking “What’s the use?”
Stinkin’ Thinkin’
That is a classic example of what AA calls “stinkin’ thinkin'”! Satan often plants these thoughts with the intent of getting us to stop praying and lose hope. Rather than listen to someone who is determined to turn us away from God, I recommend that you concentrate on the truth. Check out Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus:
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18-19)
That’s my prayer for you too. I pray that you don’t give into discouragement and falsely believe that God doesn’t hear you or can’t answer your prayer. While I can’t promise how he will answer, I can promise that he hears you and will answer you in the best possible way when the time is right. In the Holy Spirit, you have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Tap into that power and don’t give up!
Let’s pray…
Holy Spirit, we turn to you with praise, adoration and awe. We recognize your Divine power and thank you for coming to dwell in us through baptism and confirmation. Help us to see our circumstances through your eyes and grant us the grace to persevere. Even if we may not feel it, we know intellectually that you love us and can do all things. Enlighten the eyes of our heart and restore our hope. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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