Tribulation and Trust

“In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me” (Ps 86:7). When God answers our call for his help in the midst of anguishing tribulations, we might find that his answer is really more, not less, than we ask for. The answer sometimes comes not in the form of relief, but in that of belief--namely, belief that he wants us to grow stronger, not weaker, in the tribulations and adversities of life. For truly trusting souls, the answer may come by way of a powerful gift of insight--a profound enlightenment that enables us to see how gently he guides each tribulation into a transformation. He helps us by such painful steps to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Rom 12:2, emphasis mine). The trusting soul quickly perceives the Lord’s subtle ways of transmuting tribulations into learning experiences.

The Israelites would probably have been ill-prepared to appreciate and use the benefits of the Promised Land of Canaan if they had not undergone the great tribulations of their wilderness journey. Moses, in the epilogue of his great song (see Dt 32), told the people to expect this outcome to their sufferings in the desert. Without the cross there is no crown.

Matthew Henry proclaimed this truth with his typical eloquence:

Many are taught with the briars and thorns of affliction that otherwise would not learn. God gives wisdom by the rod and reproof; he chastens and teaches as he opens our ears to discipline. . . . Let every pricking briar and grieving thorn, especially when it is a thorn in the flesh, be thus interpreted and thus improve us. By this God deigns to teach us. Shall we learn by his mysterious teaching? (Matthew Henry, Commentary on Scripture, 2 Cor.)

To accept the mystery of suffering requires a trust that is unshakeable, like that of Job, who declared, “Even though he may slay me, I will trust in him” (Jb 13:15). The resultant mystical insight that he experienced was followed by an overwhelming reward (see Jb 42). This was not so much a reward for his suffering as it was for his trust in God in the midst of suffering.

This excerpt is from the book Pathways of Trust, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and tapes can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.