Persistence and Trust

Emblazoned on the tombstone of a hypochondriac was his preplanned epitaph: “I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK!” The wit of the inscription was the fact that the poor man’s persistence in his health complaints was extended beyond his demise. (He must have been “gravely” sick--if you’ll excuse the pun.)

The persistence of trust in God that drove Paul unflinchingly onward, in spite of any impediment that lodged in his path, was the consequence of his deep-seated conviction of the Lord’s reliability: “I am convinced that neither death nor life . . . neither the present nor the future, nor anything in all creation will separate us from the love of God” (Rom 8:38-39, emphasis mine). For true persistence there is no force more powerful than a soul-rooted conviction. Nothing else can explain the indomitable heroism of countless martyrs who have undergone unspeakable torture for their convictions. There’s no limit to a soul’s persistence when its “stick-to-it-ive-ness” derives from an underlying conviction that “the Lord is my support” (Ps 18:18; 2 Sm 22:19).

The thicker the wall, the longer it will withstand the ravages of time--even for centuries. Likewise, the stronger the conviction of God’s ever-present support, the better our endurance in withstanding the tempests of life.

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 audio/visual materials can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408.