I am taking the super easy route with this post, “Five Hard Truths That Will Set You Free,” because I am borrowing heavily from Monsignor Charles Pope, who was inspired to write his article from an essay written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM. So, as much as this blog post is not original, the subject is very important and worth getting under the noses of as many people as possible, whether it be from my humble blog, by way of Monsignor Pope’s website, or directly from Fr. Richard Rohr. So, here goes my take on Monsignor Pope’s take on Fr. Rohr’s essay.
The hard truths about life that will set you free are: 1) life is hard, 2) life is not about you, 3) you have no control over life, 4) you are just not that important in it, and 5) you are gonna die. If you can accept these truths, as uncomfortable as they are, and once you understand and embrace them (really, you have no other choice), they will bring you great peace so you can live life as God intends for you, not as you intend for yourself.
Truth #1 Life IS hard.
We live in a broken world. Our ancestors, who endured shorter, harsher lives, accepted suffering as a natural part of existence, often referring to life as a “vale of tears.”
Today, many enjoy unprecedented comfort and abundance. This abundance has shaped our expectations, leading us to believe that life should always be effortless and pleasant. When faced with suffering or inconvenience, we often react with anger, frustration, or even lawsuits, sometimes amplifying these moments on social media to express our dismay.
The truth is that suffering hasn’t disappeared; we have simply grown more resistant to it or tried to run away from it. Instead of seeing hardship as an anomaly, we must accept that earthly challenges are inevitable. This mindset reduces anxiety, frees us from unrealistic expectations, and makes us more grateful for moments of joy and ease, appreciating life as it comes.
Truth #2: Your life is not about you.
In today’s age of “nobody tells me what to do,” many believe happiness lies in pursuing personal desires. However, true happiness comes not from self-indulgence but from discerning and following God’s will for us.
Few seek God’s guidance on major life decisions, such as vocations or relationships. Instead, many act independently and expect divine intervention only when things go wrong and they need to be bailed out. We are not created to satisfy our own whims but for a higher purpose.
True peace and serenity come from humbly accepting that we are neither the masters of the universe nor even the masters of our own fate. When such thoughts creep in, take a walk through a graveyard and look at the tombstones. Few, if any, will proclaim, “I was and still am all that.” (See Hard Truth #5)
Life is not simply about us, and letting go of this attachment to self brings amazing freedom!
Truth #3 - You are not in control.
Try telling this to a control freak. Or maybe you are a control freak. Read on.
Control is largely an illusion. Sure, we have some control, such as planning for today or tomorrow—which may or may not come. However, countless factors remain beyond our control, including the very next beat of our heart or whether we will make our connection at the airport. Since we tend to manage a few things successfully, we can easily be misled into believing we can control much more. This illusion creates anxiety when we cannot control the outcomes we plan for or the actions of others involved in our plans.
Try being less of a control freak who expects everything to be manageable. Letting go of this need for control allows us to live more freely, without the bondage of fear and worry over unpredictable events.
Truth #4 - You are not that important.
Contrary to your own popular opinion, you are just not that important to anyone other than God because everyone else is walking around thinking they are the most important people to have graced the earth. When you think you are the center of the universe and your motto is “I – Me – Mine,” just keep in mind that it’s everyone else’s motto too!
While we may be deeply in love with ourselves, we are loved even more by God. Those annoying “everyone else in the world” are equally loved by God too. Following God and striving for holiness means our desires and feelings don’t always take priority. In fact, others may have needs greater than ours, and sometimes, we are called to yield to them or even to sacrifice for them. Sacrifice—what a word.
The truth is, the world doesn’t revolve around us, and much of our anxiety stems from wanting constant recognition or feeling upset when others’ needs are prioritized over ours. Letting go of the need to always be the most important frees us from the tiresome rat race and allows us to focus on our holiness.
Truth #5 – You are going to die.
The last of the Five hard truths that will set you free is you are going to die.. eventually. Tell this truth to Irene Cara. WHO you might say? She sang the 80’s hit “Fame! I’m Gonna Live Forever”. As the lyrics go –
I’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna learn how to fly
I’m gonna make it to heaven
Baby, remember my name!
I feel it comin’ together
People will see me and cry. Fame!
I’m gonna make it to heaven
Light up the sky like a flame. Fame!
I’m gonna live forever
Baby, remember my name
Remember, remember, remember, remember….
Here’s the double irony – Few remember Irene and although she didn’t live forever she might have felt that way – being young and in the 80’s.
I pray that she made it to heaven.
A visit to a cemetery reminds us that those who came before us once worried too. They thought they were important, they once believed they were the masters of their destiny, and they tried to control every aspect of their lives. But all of that ended the day they died. If they were faithful, they are now with God. Pondering death should shift our focus away from ourselves and toward what truly matters: preparing to meet God. Read blog: “What Most People Say Before They Die.”
Source: Monsignor Charles Pope https://blog.adw.org/2020/03/five-hard-truths-that-will-set-you-free-3/
Trip Back to the Early 80's....
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