Hope in Daily Works and Sufferings

There are times when life catches us off guard, and we want to shrivel and run from the messiness. In the moment, none of it makes sense — whether it’s a family illness, a miscarriage, a business disaster, or spiritual attacks. With our limited intellect, we want an explanation and a solution to the problems. It’s easier to simplify the problem, find a quick solution, and wrap it in a pretty box with a bow, only to hide it in a closet, than to see the bigger picture. But these “quick fixes” only push the problem down the road for a different day.

Sometimes we find an earthly solution to the problem while ignoring the difficulties as gifts from God for the cultivation of our souls towards sainthood. It’s hard to imagine the loss of a baby, the illness of a family member, or financial strains as gifts from God, but it is in these moments that we are given an opportunity to trust in Our Lord, detach ourselves from the world, and to find hope where it is lacking.  

Can a Tragedy Be a Gift?

Often, it is difficult to view the tragedies of life as “gifts” from God. In these dark moments, we lose part of ourselves, our naivete, and our spiritual progress if we are not careful. As a mother of six living children, I have also suffered the loss of five babies through miscarriage. These were some of the most testing times in my life, as it forced me to rely completely on God. It forced me to leave my controlling choleric temperament at the feet of Christ and rely on His love. Without a strong spiritual life, it’s difficult to recognize the goodness in trials and suffering. The loss of the babies, in and of itself, isn’t good — but through the hardships, my soul grew closer to God and to rid itself of personal desires.  

The saints grew closer to God in trials. Without suffering, we cannot fully unite ourselves to God. The theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity are infused in our souls at the Sacrament of Baptism. Although they are gifts from God, they must be activated like muscles.  

Often, we find ourselves praying for the virtues of patience, humility, and perseverance. These virtues are good and holy in themselves, as they bring the intellect and will in accordance with God’s glory, but sometimes we forget that even though the theological virtues are infused in our souls by God, they must be cultivated, too.  

A Year of Hope

In this Jubilee Year, the Church focuses on the theological virtue of Hope that leads the soul to desire God and heaven.

The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man; it takes up the hopes that inspire men's activities and purifies them so as to order them to the Kingdom of heaven; it keeps man from discouragement; it sustains him during times of abandonment; it opens up his heart in expectation of eternal beatitude. Buoyed up by hope, he is preserved from selfishness and led to the happiness that flows from charity. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 818)

The virtue of Hope should not be underestimated. Through our daily lives and by fully living our vocations, we have opportunities to purify and direct our will and intellect towards the Heavenly Father. In Hope, the soul is invigorated to seek God among the joys and sufferings of this earthly life.   

How do we grow in the virtue of Hope? It is through love and utter dependence on God. It is through the virtue of Hope that we seek and love God with our whole being. This can be through the smallest endeavors, such as serving others, praying for the souls in purgatory, mental prayer, and offering up the sufferings of our daily lives. Through prayer, both in word and actions, we grow closer to God. We can never give God His due, but through our daily actions, sufferings, and prayers, we have an opportunity to give back a small portion of what we owe to our Creator — and knowing this, we can grow in the virtue of Hope.  

So, let us not forsake the small moments in life that bring us to our knees, but offer us opportunities to accept God’s grace and growth in virtue. The spiritual life is not stagnant. We must always seek progression, though perfection will never be attained in this life. As we cultivate our spiritual lives, by uniting our daily actions, sufferings, and prayers to God, we can overcome despair and lukewarmness by progressing in the virtue of Hope. 

For the Jubilee of Hope, our writers reflect on prayer as a source of hope in their lives.

Copyright 2025 Danielle Heckenkamp
Images: Holy Cross Family Ministries