In the Trenches of our Salvation

In the Trenches of our Salvation

By Rita Davidson

 Sometimes little splinters from the cross come to us so unexpectedly – we fall apart.

I have often felt trapped by my sufferings, as they nearly suffocate me and I can run in no direction to get away from them. A mental anguish that envelopes you so entirely and makes you feel as if God is stretching you to your maximum.

My first real test of faith, came when I was 17, and a new single mother.  It was then I felt the first intensity of such a cross. Since that time the sting has been always familiar, never truly welcomed, but each season has brought a new or different cross. God likes to keep us on our toes I say! Believe me, I know suffering.

• There was my father’s death, which tore me to my core.
• Then, my stroke at age 26, which shattered my peace for years to come.
• A theft from a trusted source, that wracked my trust for years to come.
• A court case that dragged on for years, for broken printing equipment that exhausted me.
• Rumors and accusations that I could do nothing about.
• Abandonment of our oldest children from our family and the faith, which nearly killed me.
• Diagnosis of not one, but three of our boys with autism.
• Recently, our house fire, that nearly took our lives, but left us with nothing more in this world.

This is just to name a few. What is God trying to teach us here?

Oftentimes, when crosses come we offer them to God through gritted teeth. We resolve to pray, almost like it’s against our will.

Can you imagine how some of the Saints suffered? St Peter, who denied Christ, yet went on to be crucified like Him. Canadian martyrs who suffered depravity, bodily comforts, mental anguish only to be cooked and eaten alive by those they came to save. Can we really feel so sorry for ourselves when this is the same method Our Lord used to bring the Saints to Him?

So what can we do?

We must storm heaven with our anger, our losses, and our helplessness. Beg for those graces you, have until now, perhaps neglected. Pray for strength, courage, patience, resignation, prudence, understanding and more.

We must beg our prayers and then beg another dozen times again.

We must storm heaven until we can storm heaven no more.

We must offer up our crosses and pain now, for the resolution we need to have.

For some of us this will be just a few days or weeks and God will give us respite. For others, it might take many, many years of resignation and prayers offered up to get your reward. You must NEVER give in. You must never GIVE UP.

God is waiting. He knows every moment you will pray. He is pulling you out. He knows what prayers you will offer.  As the kind Father He is, He is allowing us to be strengthened by this.

When the pain is so strong in our hearts and mind, it’s all we can do. We must grow to Trust God more and always seek His will in all things. Especially when times are good. Seek Him on good days, talk with Him on good days. Learn of Him on good days, so no matter the bitter disappointments that come; we will always see the wisdom in them.

To suffer is to love. This is the way of salvation. Our lives must resemble Christ Crucified to be worthy of being called a Christian. We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling we are told. We are in the trenches of salvation.

Let us pray we all have the graces and courage to carry our crosses each day with joy.

With love,

Rita Xo 🙂

©Copyright 2014 Rita Davidson All Rights Reserved.

Rita is a Catholic wife, and mother of seven, with three autistic boys. Currently a writer, & published author, she is a former hairdresser, professional make up artist with a degree in Natural Health. She is now a Young Living Distributor. After overcoming a stroke, disabilities, and more, they recently lost everything in a devastating house fire that made them homeless for six months. She is determined to lead souls back to Christ by carrying their crosses with Joy!