To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 7, Day 4 - We Must Endure as Jesus Did, So as Not to Lose Heart
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Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
He comes forth like a flower, and withers;
he flees like a shadow, and continues not.
Since his days are determined,
and the number of his months is with you,
and you have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass.
Oh, that you would hide me in Sheol,
that you would conceal me until your wrath be past,
that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!
You would call, and I would answer you;
you would long for the work of your hands.
For then you would number my steps,
you would not keep watch over my sin;
my transgression would be sealed up in a bag,
and you would cover over my iniquity.
Job 14:1–2, 5, 13, 15–17
Throughout history, man has struggled to understand the purpose of suffering. Perhaps no work of literature encapsulates this struggle as well as the biblical book of Job. And as Job ultimately found, although suffering remains a mystery deep within the heart of God, we who experience our suffering in the presence of his perfect love can connect to love’s power and discover the hope that is ours in Christ.
Catholic men are not immune from struggle and pain. Our faith does not shield us from suffering and the grief that goes along with it. Yet if we are grounded in Christ, linked through the cross to the One who gave his life for our sins, we can weather the storms of life and find the peace that passes all our understanding. We can turn our trials into triumphs as we are transformed by the love of our Savior and join our story with the story of the Church’s journey to maturity.
How do we discover comfort in the midst of trouble and hope in the midst of grief? Scripture is filled with passages showing how the experience of sorrow is transformed into hope through the perfect love of God. This week, we will look at these ideas:
1. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, God is there (see Ps 23:4).
Our Lord is the One who leads us through our darkest days into the light of hope. He conquers the enemies around us and leads us to pastures where we receive his abundant comfort once more. Refreshed and renewed by God’s grace, we take our place in God’s holy dwelling, the Church, as we bring our uniqueness to bear upon her.
2. God preserves our lives from the pit (see Ps 30:1-6).
We rejoice because in Christ we have been rescued from hell and brought to a place where our enemies can boast no more. He has heard our cries for deliverance. Our tears of sorrow in the darkness of suffering give way to joyful living in the light of his love. As we are established in strength and new life, we become men who pour out our lives for the Body of Christ in songs of praise and acts of love that will carry on into eternity.
3. As we are comforted, so we will comfort others (see 2 Cor 1:3–5).
God pours out all his comfort and grace upon us in our troubles, making us strong enough to take that same comfort to others. Our sufferings are a sharing in the sufferings of Christ; our comfort too abounds and reaches out into the world to leave our mark through the same Jesus who has loved us to the full.
4. Those who mourn are blessed (see Mt 5:4).
Those who experience the sorrow of loss can find peace at the cross where Jesus experienced death itself and bore every sin and every grief. Death no longer has its way with us because Jesus has conquered the grave and given us a new inheritance in heaven. We live no longer for ourselves, but for the One who has set us free.
5. God heals the brokenhearted and binds our wounds (see Ps 147:3).
While our suffering can seem like it will never end, God promises to heal our hearts and bind our wounds. He will not abandon us, but walks with us every step of the way on our journey of salvation. As we are made whole, we become healers to others, offering the story of our suffering as a testimony of God’s grace. Our life becomes a legacy of healing that leads others to seek the One who will bind up their wounds as well.
A Call to Action
There is a link between sorrow and hope that finds meaning in the transforming power of Christ and the cross. As you travel the road of salvation this week, focus on the ways Jesus helps you to overcome your sorrow and find greater blessings in your journey through it. Spend time in close meditation with your Savior, letting him take the heavy burdens from you and walk with you as you take up the light and easy load he offers. Find ways to help bear the sorrows and sufferings of others as you share the grace you have received from the Savior who suffered to bring you new life.
Understanding how sorrow and hope are linked through Christ enables us to live out our Catholic faith in a powerful way. Our transformation from the depths of sorrow to the mountaintop of hope is an incredible witness of the love of God and the power of his Church. It inspires others and comforts them as they walk through the valley of sorrow as well.
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Mark C. McCann is an author and Ministry Consultant with more than 30 years of writing and ministry experience. He has published articles for a number of Catholic magazines and websites including St. Anthony Messenger, Emmanuel Magazine, Liguorian Magazine, Catholic Stand, the Connecticut Catholic Men's Conference, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He recently published the 4-volume Catholic men's devotional, To the Ends of the Earth, as well as the 2021 Advent Daybreaks devotional and 2022 Lenten Daybreaks devotional with Liguori Publishing. He has also released his End Times novel series, Jacob's Dream: The Vision and Jacob's Dream: The Final Battle. He was a radio host and producer for 8 years at a Connecticut Christian radio station and has worked as a Catholic religion teacher/campus minister and a parish youth minister. He has also served the Norwich, CT Diocese as a Youth Ministry Director and Family Life Director. He currently lives in Connecticut with his Proverbs 31 wife, where together they have brought up three incredible children. He strives each day to live out his call to be a man of words. You can learn more about Mark and his writing at www.wordsnvisions.com.
