Untroubled Hearts

“Contradictions, sickness, scruples, spiritual aridity,
and all the inner and outward torments are the
chisel with which God carves his statues for paradise.”

– St Alphonsus Ligouri

When life stresses me out.

Our years of praying for my financial breakthrough have been met with God's silence.

When it’s looking close to life’s collapse.

Silence.

When my health is looking only grimmer.

The Lord reminds me…

KEEP LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE: Count your blessings and realize your crosses are carrying you to Heaven. 

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He spoke through St. Rose of Lima when she said: 

“Apart from the Cross 

there is no other ladder 

by which we may get to heaven.”

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He truly is all around me—and us—if I have eyes of faith. I can reflect and count my blessings, graces, and consolations. He asks us to keep our eyes on Him.

Just because there’s quiet in one or more areas

Doesn’t mean He’s not pouring out graces

Pouring out miracles IN us

Pouring out His sustenance day in, day out

Pouring out LOVE every single day

All gathered together in a giant ocean cup is our recipe for holiness and Heaven!

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There’s that cute but true saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!”

Balance every cross with 

joy for the graces 

God is pouring out in your life

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We can have joys mixed with sorrows, much like the Blessed Mother Mary. The saints assure us that crosses grow sweeter the closer our union with Jesus.

Reach out to a holy community much like the prayer forum on Apostoli Viae, my Carmelite Community. We are called to lift each other up to the Lord and ease the burdens we carry. Our Community is a true treasure and helps me stay strong in the Lord.

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Never lose sight of the reality that 

JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH YOU

He may be silent in areas

Because

He may be preparing you

A surgeon puts a patient to sleep

For an operation

Lest the patient interfere 

With the procedure

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In every trial

Ask Him

“What are You teaching me?”

And lean in to listen 

God always hears us

He fulfills in 

Ways that may be hidden 

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Sometimes not knowing

IS God’s will.

If we knew the future

If we knew all the answers

We wouldn’t need faith

And we’d let go of God

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He attaches us to Him

Through our crosses

Through our limitations

Through our struggles

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He is more concerned that 

we cling to Him

Than be perfect and on our own

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Only the fool thinks 

He doesn’t need God

Praise God for the wounds 

That sends us into His Arms

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SAINT GIANNA BERETTA teaches us to:

Live each moment with gratitude, thanking God for all He lovingly gives each day.

(Paraphrase)

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The GOOD and the BAD

God uses it all if we seek Him

Uniting all to Him

Throwing ourselves 

Into Dada’s Arms

Like little children

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A good father 

Cannot resist

Helping His beloved

Little ones

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(Heb 10:23)
Hebrews exhorts us to hold firmly
to the hope we profess,
trusting in the faithfulness of God,
who always keeps His promises.