Commitment to Surrender

Peter's advice has an eschatological ring to it: "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed...Those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good." (i Pet. 4:19).

In coping with life's "midnight" experiences, the God-focused person will now only see suffering's futuristic advantages, but with David they will find in adversities an immediate and ongoing import: 

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me" even the darkness will not be dark to you; the light will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you...When I awake I am still with you (Ps. 139: 11-18).

God's love, his guidance, blessings and grace, don't come to us merely occasionally. We are being blessed minute by minute with his gifts, with every breath we take. Any given moment - painful or joyful - we can be consecrated to the Lord, and thus redound enormously to our advantage. Peter, in reformulating the words of Psalm 55:22, advises, "Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you" (I Pet. 5:7). This involves a kind of trusftul commitment: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him" (Ps. 37:5). The darkest midnight experiences of your coming weeks, months or years are special moments when the Lord will be watching you for your commitment of surrender to his Providence.

This excerpt is from the book Coping with Life's Darkest Moments, by John H. Hampsch,C.M.F., originally published by Queenship Publishing Company. 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.