Endurance and Trust

Endurance is simply continued exertion; it implies not just strength but sustained strength, especially for periods of extended hardship, such as prolonged illness, perhaps along with intractable pain, or prolonged unemployment, or enduring years without fulfillment, or frustration in a mediocre or unhappy marriage. From the viewpoint of eternity, this is simply a brief period of predawn darkness; as we wait for it to lift, we are confronted with another of the many tests of trust that this earthly life presents. To pass this test of our trust is simply to harbor an enduring certainty that the Sun of Justice will rise to scatter the darkness--but in his time (see Eccl 3:16).

Remember, as astronomers tell us, an eclipse of the sun never lasts more than seven and a half minutes. Endurance is easy when you know that all suffering is as brief as a blink of the eye when compared to eternity and the reward it gains for us because of our trust in the Lord and his love during that brief period. As Paul says, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us” (Rom 8:18). Or, in Peter’s words, “It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering” (1 Pt 2:9, emphasis mine).

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.