Endure: The 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today's 2nd Reading (1 Thes 1:1-5b), Paul gives thanks and prays for the Thessalonians for their "work of faith and labor of love and endurance."

Anything in life worth achieving takes time, effort, discipline, focus, sacrifice, attention to detail and love such as:

• Graduating from college.
• Building a strong marriage.
• Raising good children.
• Building a business.
• Reaching heaven.

We do not know God's ways but we must keep the faith for 40 days and 40 nights or even 40 years as we walk the journey to salvation that God has presented us. 

Many times we ask why God allows suffering or why is He "making things hard" on us, but those are the wrong questions. God does not make anything hard on us. We have free will and because God loves us He lets us make our own decisions but He is constantly giving us road signs, rest stops, information desks, even rescuers along our path to help us get on and stay on the right path, which is the road to salvation.

So rather than asking God why He is causing suffering or pain or strife ask Him what you can learn from it and how can you do your part to lessen the pain and suffering in the world and how can it make you and the rest of us better. 

If you are going through hard times today take a moment to look at the situation to see what you can learn from it. What distractions must you give up to get you back on track? When you're in a life or death situation the path to safety and survival becomes crystal clear. Maybe God wants you to get the crystal clear vision, which is the good He will pull from the bad you may find yourself in today.

Work on your faith. Endure in your faith. Keep the faith.