Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

What did I gain when I went through the pain? Let me count the ways…

1. Humility

When life hits you hard, you stopped judging others. When you’ve experienced a trial that breaks you, you come to understand those who went through it. You will be a blessing to those who will go through. In short, you will stop being judgmental.

2. Silence

Silence is golden as the song goes. And yes it is. How will you be capable of finding the answers if you don’t shut up? How can you listen to God’s word if you keep on trying to figure it out yourself. Most of the time, you are getting in your way. Stop talking. Stop analyzing. Stop rationalizing. Stop solving the problem with the mindset that put you there in the first place.

3. The Beauty of Solitude

Solitude is not a lonely place. You can be alone but never lonely. The irony is, you can surround yourself with people with all their earthly wisdom. Yet, you feel so alone in your struggle.

4. God’s wisdom begins when you let go.

Let go and let God. Letting go doesn’t mean not getting things done. It means getting things done in God’s way.

5. STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN

STOP what you’re doing

LOOK for the TRUE SOURCE of ANSWERS

LISTEN and OBEY

6. B.T.S

Believe, Trust, and Surrender.

The more helpless you feel, the more you should surrender. God is way, way bigger than your problem or else he is not a God.

7. Ask for Prayer Intercessions

Do not underestimate the POWER of INTERCESSORY PRAYERS. During my family’s greatest trials, I felt the prayers of my friends and relatives. They were offering their prayers, Holy Mass intentions, and novenas to us. We were scared and overwhelmed. The uncertainties of what might happen weighed heavily on our heart. Yet, we also experienced indescribable PEACE. If I could describe the kind of peace that is beyond understanding, then that must be it. I felt the immensity of the intercessory prayers pouring our way.

8. God’s answers will put value in your life

God’s answers to your prayers is never what you expect them to be. Our finite mind can never fathom His ways. One things for sure, you will come out a better person because of it. The only prerequisite is ACCEPTANCE.

9. Admit that you need help.

Being in need is nothing to be ashamed of. It goes hand-in-hand with humility. There is nothing shameful about being in dire need of support, whatever it might be. Don’t let your pride block the graces that God is willing to give you. Ask for the graces. God the Father is the source of all graces. Jesus is the way to the Father. Mama Mary dispenses the graces that should be given to all of us.

10. There is no shortcut.

Go through the pain, no matter how difficult it is. There is WISDOM in going through the pain. Like a butterfly who struggles to get out of the cocoon, you must let go of the baggage.