Happy Easter! In this episode, we conclude our Lenten book study on "The Way of Trust and Love" and focus on Chapter 6: Enduring Trials. We talk about how even in the light of Easter, we may still experience suffering and how we can choose to rejoice in God's goodness when His ways remain hidden. We also reflect on why trials are not signs of God's absence, how we learn to recognize God at work in the present moment, and how to embrace suffering as a necessary path to share in the fullness of Easter. Friends, in this Easter octave, we invite you to reflect on how God has transformed your heart this past Lent. Let us enter into this Easter season with renewed hope, gratitude, and a deeper surrender to God's unfailing love. We will see you in two weeks!

 

Heather's One Thing - Fire 50 Challenge with Many Parts Ministries. It's a free 50-day spiritual journey designed to deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit!

Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Divine Mercy Novena and Divine Mercy Sunday

Michelle's One Thing - Join us in praying The Divine Mercy Chaplet

 

Resurrection Power

By: Michelle Benzinger

A crucible is the place where the refiner's fire is not your enemy, but your tender witness of integration. 

 

It is where certainty melts,

where control dissolves,

where the identities you once clung to

lose their shape in the flame.

 

The crucible is where faith stops being an idea and melts into surrender,

where you no longer hold God at a distance,

but find Him somehow

in the very fire you once feared.

 

It is a holy undoing that makes space for a deeper yes.

 

It is an invitation into the Paschal Mystery. 

It is the Holy Spirit's invitation into the Resurrection power. 

 

Journal Questions:

• Where do I turn in my trials and disappointments?
• Where in my life have I been avoiding the fullness of the Paschal Mystery (suffering, waiting, and resurrection)?
• What renunciations and declarations do I need to make today?
• What are the questions on my heart? Do I absolutely need the answer to do God's Will today?

 

Discussion Questions:

• What has God revealed to you in your current trials?
• How are you choosing to intentionally feast during these 50 days?
• How has God called you to a mature and adult faith in this season of life?
• What does Resurrection power and glory look like in your life?

 

Quotes to Ponder:

"They" (her friends the saints) "want to see how far I am going to push my trust." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux) 

 

"When we realize that's happening—that we're going round and round and getting nowhere, that our questions aren't producing light but only bitterness and blame—we must have the courage to put those questions aside and ask ourselves another. It's the only essential one, after all, and it will always be answered: What attitude does God want me to have toward this situation? The point is to move from "Why?" to "How?" The real question isn't "Why is this happening to me?" but "How should I live through these things?" How am I called to face this situation? What call to growth is being made to me through this? That question will always get an answer." (Father Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, Page 129)

 

Scripture for Lectio:

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10) 

 

Sponsor - Glory: Women's Gathering:

If you're ready to intentionally embrace a spirit of Resurrection in your life this year, we invite you to register for the Glory: Women's Gathering hosted by Steubenville Conferences in partnership with Heather Khym. 

Join Heather, Michelle, and our dear friends Debbie Herbeck, Sarah Kaczmarek, Monica Richards, and Fr. Dave Pivonka TOR this coming June 5-7 in Steubenville, Ohio, as we gather with women across generations and seek God's restoration and healing. This gathering will include talks, worship, prayer experiences, and the opportunity to interact with fellow Abiding Together listeners and new friends from all over who will be flying in. 

Heather and Michelle would absolutely love to meet you. Whether you come with your Abiding Together small group, with a close friend, or on your own, we can't wait to gather in fellowship with you.

Registration is still open for the Glory: Women's Gathering. Ticket prices go up after April 16 - grab your ticket today! Visit steubenvilleconferences.com/events/glory for more information or to register!

 

Timestamps:

00:00 Glory: Women's Gathering

01:23 Intro

02:09 Welcome

02:41 Scripture Verse and Guiding Quote

03:18 Trusting Through Suffering

05:57 Trials of Faith, Hope, and Love

07:49 Will We Run to God?

08:46 Living the Resurrection as Women

11:34 Feeling Panic in the Trial

14:05 Declaring Our Belief

15:36 Setting Aside Our need for an Answer to "Why"

17:28 Resurrection Power

20:07 Trials Have the Power to Make Us More of Our True Selves

24:40 Help Me in My Unbelief

27:00 What Has God Done this Lent?

28:41 One Things