Jesus went through a great deal of suffering to save us. All you have to do is quietly stare at Jesus suffering on a crucifix and Jesus’ Passion begins to shed light in the dark night of the soul. Jesus suffered and died out of love for us. We too our called by Jesus to carry our cross and be prepared to suffer for his sake as good soldiers of Christ.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24
Bear your share of hardship along with me like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 2:3
We should not grow weary, but press on, following Jesus and carrying our cross.
Where can the weak find a place of firm security and peace, except in the wounds of the Savior?” – St. Bernard
Outside of union with Jesus we can grow weary and weak in the battle.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
The weaknesses and difficulties we endure in life can wear us down, especially when there is any sense of underlying attack from the enemy with any of them.
They can make us want to sometimes give up and abandon our post.
Let us never forget we have air support from heaven above.
As we do battle and fight in the contest of faith, God, his angels and Christ himself watch us. – St Cyprian
What does the Bible say about being battle weary and worn down?
There are six (6) verses in the New Testament that talk about being wearied out, spiritless and exhausted. The Greek word is ekkakeō. We will take a look at the verses, and see what we can learn from them based on Catholic scripture commentary.
Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, Luke 18:1
Well, there you go. We could possibly stop the post right here. Instructions from God, Luke 18:1 is the first verse from the Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke’s Gospel.
We must be persistent in prayer, regardless of morale, regardless of pride, or anything visible or invisible that would snatch us away from praying to God.
- (Lk 18:1–8) teaches the disciples the need of persistent prayer so that they not fall victims to apostasy Source: USCCB
If you pray, you will be certainly saved; if you do not pray, you will be certainly damned. – St. Alphonsus De Liguori
The word “apostasy” means to abandon a set of beliefs that are dear to our hearts.
When you take into account Jesus’ parable about The Sower I think his teaching here is understood. We should pray continually, despite any casualties we are dealing with, internally, externally, or both. We will find growth in God with our prayer life.
The scourging in life we receive is also from God as he disciplines, prunes and forms us into who he intends us to be as a people of his own. The real danger here for the soul is to be swept away in abandonment and indifference towards Jesus and the Church.
In her voyage across the ocean of this world, the Church is like a great ship being pounded by the waves of life’s different stresses. Our duty is not to abandon ship but to keep her on her course. – St. Boniface
Therefore, since we have this ministry through the mercy shown us, we are not discouraged. 2 Corinthians 4:1
If you look at this section of verses in 2 Corinthians, particularly the preceding verse, God’s saints are slowly being spiritually changed into the image and likeness of Jesus.
Let us become spiritual; let us be a perfect dwelling place for God. – St. Barnabas
St. Paul teaches us we have to “suffer and die” before being raised to immortality. God gives us grace sufficient to help sustain us in whatever spiritual war zone we may find ourselves in life. Opposition and difficulties are inevitable. We battle through it.
Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
And despite the inevitable with bodily afflictions and aging, our confidence should be in God, not in ourselves. Our bodies decline with age, but the Christian soul should increase in union with the Spirit with a persistence in prayer and faith in God.
- …David recalls his faith in Yahweh during times of distress and remembers how he was rescued. Source Ignatius New Testament Catholic Study Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:12 Commentary
Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
We have to focus on the words “patience” and “perseverance” with this verse because the inflexible principle of sowing and reaping is in view here. God shows no partiality.
Sowing in the flesh leads to death and destruction.
Sowing in the spirit leads to a fruitful harvest of holiness and glory.
The greater the toil, the richer the reward. – St. Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr
So I ask you not to lose heart over my afflictions for you; this is your glory. Ephesians 3:13
Paul endured many different sufferings and afflictions, including being imprisoned.
- The fulfillment of the plan in Christ gives the whole church more confidence through faith in God (Eph 3:12). The readers of this letter are also thereby encouraged to greater confidence despite Paul’s imprisonment (Eph 3:13). Source: USCCB
The very next verse talks about Paul bowing his knees before the Father in worship. God was his all, just as God has been for the saints throughout the ages.
Christ must be your breath, heart, love, life, your all. – St. John Eudes
St. Paul was certainly no exception.
But you, brothers, do not be remiss in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Last verse, and it is an ideal verse to end on. We learned in the previous verses:
- to persevere in our prayers and devotions as Jesus the Lord has instructed us.
- the possibility of a crown of eternal life is worth fighting for in the contest of faith, despite any sufferings and afflictions that we must endure patiently.
- afflictions and sufferings are inevitable, and part of God’s plan for each of us
- make every effort to sow a devout life in the Spirit as a good soldier of Christ.
Lastly, taking into account 2 Thessalonians 3:13 above, let us strive to work hard for the Lord and to perform works of mercy as we continue our journey of faith through this passing world. Let us abandon our pride and find our strength and confidence in God.
A clean heart create for me, God; renew within me a steadfast spirit. Psalms 51:12