St. John Nepomucene

Never Lose Heart

In the second reading, we hear from St Paul these words, “We do not lose heart because our inner being is renewed each day even though our body is being destroyed at the same time.”

Paul tells us that difficulties may come our way.  In another chapter of Second Corinthians he writes, “Five times I have received from the Jews forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods.  Once I received stoning.  Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger of rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters…” (2 Cor. 11:24-26)

How was it that Paul did not let discouragement overtake him and rule his life?  I would posit two reasons.  He met the Lord on the road to Damascus.  He had a real relationship with Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord.  Secondly, Paul looked forward to the eternal glory to come after death.

Discouragement can make us feel hopeless.  It can drain us of all energy and prevent us from keeping up with everyday tasks.  If not dealt with, it is also contagious.  It can spread through your whole house.  So let us look at one way we can deal with discouragement.

At the Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”  (John 14:11).  Faith enables us to deal with discouragement.  We believe that God is with us and somehow everything will work out according to God’s plan.  In the Gospel, even though Jesus is rejected by the religious leaders and His family, he still trusts in God the Father and His plan for Him.

Jesus says to us, Hold onto your faith!  Trust that My Father and I won’t abandon you.  Whenever you face difficulties, you can picture Jesus saying to you, “Don’t let your heart be troubled.  It is true that in the world you will have trouble, but never doubt that I have conquered the world.”

We recently celebrated the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart.  We have a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in our church as well as the image of that Devotion.  God’s unconditional love is always there for you.  As St. Paul writes, nothing can separate you from the Love of Christ.

So the next time you start feeling discouraged, think like Paul.  Keep telling yourself that God knows the situation.  God feels your pain.  God is with you.  Never forget that nothing can separate you from His love.  Together with Christ you can make it.  In prayer, let Him take you by the hand and lead you in this life and in the next.

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