“When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going!”

St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians encourages Euodia and Syntyche, two leaders of that congregation, to stop quarreling and to “be of one mind”.  All too often stresses cause us to regress.  Instead, St. Paul calls us to “Rejoice in the Lord, always”.  He writes, “Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone”.

There are many stresses in our lives there days.  There are also many who respond by striking out at others, verbally and physically.  Our multiple screens are full of angry people.

We, as followers of Jesus, are called to be like him, called to be light in the darkness of anger and violence.  !It is not easy!  St. Paul also assures us:

“The Lord is near.  Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”  We are called to be spiritually tough, tough enough:

to sow love where there is hatred,

to pardon where there is injury,

to unite where there is discord,

to be faithful where there is doubt,

to be hopeful where there is despair,

to be light where there is darkness, and

to be joyful where there is sorrow.