the will to live
"One thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek." —Psalm 27:4
Sometimes we lose our zest for life. We don't feel like doing anything. We don't want to get out of bed. We don't even want to pray. At these times we're tempted to distract ourselves with novelties and/or by watching TV. The answer to the "blahs" is not distraction but concentration on Jesus.
Jesus says: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you" (Mt 11:28). "It is God Who, in His good will toward you, begets in you any measure of desire or achievement" (Phil 2:13). The Lord will renew our desire to live. He will do this without changing the circumstances. This will prevent us from making ourselves slaves to circumstances. We will not feel compelled to manipulate events to make ourselves feel better. Our focus will not be on how we're feeling but on Jesus. He will not bring excitement into our lives; He will bring us into His life.
Jesus is our only Savior from everything that comes against us, even from the "blahs." Jesus not only is our Life, but also the Creator of our will to live. If you're in mid-life crisis, end-life crisis, or just life-crisis, Jesus is Your only Hope, but the only Hope you'll need. Make Jesus the Desire of your heart.
Prayer: Jesus, as the deer thirsts for the living waters, may my soul thirst for You (Ps 42:2).
Promise: "Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." —Lk 14:27
Praise: Though St. Martin, conceived of biracial and unwed parents, was in a lower rank of society, his holiness and wisdom were such that people from all classes of society sought his godly counsel.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape Hope for the Hopeless on audio AV 63-1 or video V-63.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 6, 2010
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.