When in a state of helplessness

WE should always expect the possibility for us to fall into some state of helplessness, not only of the transitory type but also of the permanent one. That’s just being realistic. And upon that possibility, let’s make the necessary preparation, building up the appropriate attitude, skills and practices to tackle it.

There’s always hope even in our worst scenario. And that’s because God never leaves us, but continues to love and care for us, in spite of all. He gives us everything we need to handle this situation.

We should be quick to realize this truth of our faith, and act accordingly. Let’s avoid aggravating the situation by avoiding falling into discouragement and depression, a fertile ground for the devil to tempt us into worse conditions. The devil obviously wants us to be alienated as much as possible from God. Rather, like the prodigal son, let’s return to God asking for mercy which he readily gives.

God, of course, does not spare us from falling into some serious, and sometimes insoluble predicaments. That’s because he will always respect the limitations of our nature that can sometimes lead us to some trouble, and more so, our own freedom, no matter how much we misuse and abuse it and lead us to sin, the worst evil.

And even if personally we have not sinned or do not seem to deserve a particular burden, we all suffer just the same as an effect of all the sins of men, ours and those of others. We should not be surprised by this and waste time complaining about it.

In fact, it can happen that those who suffer the most are the saintly ones who are especially chosen by God to bear the consequences of the sins of all men. Those who are more Christ-like will certainly share more in the redemptive suffering of Christ. In a sense, suffering is a blessing, a privilege.

St. Paul was an example of this reality. Of course, he suffered not only to atone for his past sins that were very serious, but also for those of others. Once he described his suffering: “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea.” (2 Cor 11,25)

In another instance, he talked about the sting of the flesh that he suffered to check on his possibility to fall into pride and vanity. “Lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.” (2 Cor 12,7)

For sure, the saints are saints precisely because they have taken the same path of suffering that Christ took. Indeed, suffering can be a clear sign of God’s predilection for us, as it has been with Christ who suffered the death on the cross in obedience to his Father’s will.

So, if our predicaments and suffering lead us to a state of helplessness, whether they are physical, financial, or even moral due to our sin, we need to adopt the mind of Christ and the saints and the other characters in the gospel who did all they can to get close to Christ, asking for help. Christ certainly listens and knows what to do. He knows how to convert evil into good, suffering into glory, death into life.

We have to have to faith. We should avoid falling into self-pity, fear, shame, etc. In spite of our helplessness due to our sin, our being children of God never disappears. God as a father will always do everything to bring us back to him.

We need to have the trust of little children to their parents to whom they can show anything, no matter how ugly or shameful. They know that their parents will always help them, even if they, the little children, are totally at fault. There might be some pain involved, but help and relief will always be on the way, and fast, without wasting time.

All we have to do is to make an act of contrition, and if need be to go to confession, which is actually very much recommended especially if grave sins are involved. We should not unduly agonize ourselves over this matter, going through all sorts of heart-wrenching dramatics.

God is a father to us all. We are all brothers and sisters. We may have problems with one another and even with our own selves, but we will continue to be a family. In fact, the family of an ever loving and merciful Father!