“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” -St. Augustine
The truth on faith is that it does not and should not depend on our feelings. Because though by faith we are given grace for each moment and strength for every trial; though we are at peace and we are grateful for the incomparable blessings given us; we are still human beings bound with our frailties, trying to make our way each day through all the ups and downs of real life.
The truth is that there are days when we could hardly remember the feeling of consolation in prayer or the joy of our first revelations, when we could barely recall the sweetness of the many glimpses of heaven we once knew.
The truth is that there are days when we just feel tired and lonely and aching and we could hardly get up from bed; days when we see more darkness than stars, more rain than sunshine, more tears of sorrow than of bliss.
This is the truth. And this is the faith that conquers even when by our own strength, we’re already at the point of breaking or giving up. Not everything will be to our liking, but all things will be for our good, though all that we can see for now are days so ordinary there are no miracles except those that have been concealed from our eyes.
… though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ— whom, not having known, you love. – 1 Peter 1:6-8, WEB
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"