Summary of Trusting God in the Present by Fr. Jacques Philippe

Responding to Trials: Shifting from “Why” to “How”

“Every trial, no matter what its cause and characteristics are, is a trial of faith or of hope or of love. All three aspects are usually involved, with particular stress on one or the other” (13).

The Natural Response to Trials: Why?

Natural questions to ask: Trials in life usually lead us to ask “Why?” – Why me? Why am I go through this? Why did God let this happen?
- These are normal questions to ask, especially when we don’t understand why something is happening to us or to a loved one.
Victim mentality: The problem is that these kind of questions often lead to a victim mentality in which we blame & accuse others.

Jesus allowed Himself to experience every “Why?” we have ever faced when He cried out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).

The Supernatural Response to Trials: How?

Supernatural questions to ask: No matter how difficult of a situation we face in life, God always gives us the inner freedom to respond supernaturally to any trial with faith, hope, and love – How can I respond to this situation like a saint? with faith? or hope? or love?
- These are grace-filled questions to ask, giving us the opportunity to find new meaning & purpose in the present moment of our trial.
Responsible mentality: By asking “how?” we take responsibility & focus our efforts on what we can control.

“You shall see for yourself that all manner of things shall be well… I can make all things well” (Jesus to Julian of Norwich).

1st example: St. Therese of Lisieux

We will discover, in the words of St. Therese, that “everything is grace.”
Trial of faith at the end of her life. Deep interior darkness. Lost the joy of heaven. Realized Jesus was offering her a chance to be purified of any overly human attachments to heaven and saw it as an invitation to pray for atheists.
“May my darkness serve to enlighten other souls!” (St. Therese).
She accepted her darkness.
Saw great meaning and purpose in her trial.

2nd example: Forgiving Others

Forgiving others is a great example of shifting from “why” to “how”
Forgiveness is always an act of faith, hope (change is possible), and love (to give without expecting anything in return). Forgiveness sets us free too – free from our past – free to receive God’s graces today.