Trials and sorrow are
inevitable in this temporary life. At difficult moments only faith can give a
person the necessary spiritual strength. When a person with a weak faith
despairs during misfortunes, feels defeated and complains bitterly, the
believing person more strongly turns to God for help. He disperses the tide of
despondency with hope in God, having learned from previous trials that "whoever
believes on Him will not be put to shame" (Rom. 9:33).
Sorrows are the "rainy days" and "storms" in our life
and are meant to test our faith. During fair weather every sailor can
fantasize about his skills, but it is during a storm that the genuine mariner
is unveiled. Reading the Holy Scripture or lives of the saints, one becomes
convinced that righteous people displayed their faith more obviously during
persecutions and sufferings than during calm and normal conditions. When the
Apostle Paul refers to the Old Testament righteous, he specifically mentions
their difficult moments as examples of strong faith. He thus concludes his
overview of their lives: some of them "were tortured, not receiving
deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had
trials of mocking and scourging, of chains and imprisonment. Some were stoned,
some were sawn in two, others were tempted and slain
with the sword. Some wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being
destitute, afflicted, tormented. Of whom the world was not worthy, wandered in
deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth … Therefore, —
concludes the apostle — since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us also lay aside every burden of sin (which so easily ensnares
us) and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Instead of the joy that was set
before Him He endured the cross, despising the shame. Now He sits at the right hand
of the throne of God" (Hebr. chapters 11-12).
Although faith helps man to face suffering with fortitude, the question
remains: why does the Lord permit the righteous to suffer? The answer is not
obvious at all; "Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord,
or as His counselor has taught Him?" (Isai. 40:13). Nevertheless, the
Apostle Paul explains that "all things work for good to them who love
God" (Rom. 8:28). The word
"all" includes sorrows as well. Actually, having himself experienced
innumerable trials during his missionary journeys, Saint Paul shares with his
disciples what he has learned: "Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distress for
Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong; for the strength of God is
made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:10).
Sorrows convince man of the instability of life's blessings, remind him of
God the Rescuer, of eternal life, and teach him patience. They develop
fortitude and constancy in good deeds. When man can expect help from nowhere,
he turns to God with all his strength. And while he is troubled from the
outside, in his heart he finds Divine peace and consolation. Such direct
awareness of God is greatly beneficial to a man's faith. Thus, on the one hand,
faith helps a man to bear sorrows, and on the other, sorrows strengthen the
faith in him. For this reason Saint James taught Christians: "My
brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the
testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:2).
Probably because faith gives man fortitude at difficult times and serves as
a bulwark for his spiritual life, our Savior named it a rock, saying:
"On this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).
Indeed, it is impossible to enumerate all the persecutions of Christians in the
two millennia of the existence of the Church. While so many empires and
powerful governments fell and have completely disappeared from the face of the
Earth, Christ's Church, founded on faith in Him, stands firm and will remain
invincible until the end of the world.
Return to the first page
