Following Jesus: Overcoming Difficulties

Self-talk helps: remind yourself of God's love for you

Sin takes away freedom, but God makes us free

Bad things do happen to good people. Jesus lived this

Doing right is worth it, even when it is difficult

Jesus understands, he helps, he leaves room for your choices

Jesus is sometimes silent, but he is never absent

Sometimes life is unfair. Jesus lived this himself, and showed us how to cope

Jesus reveals that suffering can show the truth of love

Even if your life is limited, it is worth living well

What lasts forever are not the things we build, but people

Faith is not a "leap", it is seeing what is actually there

Even when clergy behave badly, Jesus is the reason to stay

Jesus shows how to speak in a truthful and loving way even when truth and love seem in conflict

When stressed, don't let your feelings run away with you, and pray simpler, not less

To overcome feelings of wanting something, want Jesus more

Forgive others. When you fall, get up again

Feelings are always real but they are not always right

We really don't have control, even when we think we do. Live accordingly

Division between Christians is sin, undermining love for one another command of us by Jesus

Jesus may be unseen, but he is present with us in the world

Jesus shows us how to forgive. It is not easy but it is possible

Most of us need to struggle against procrastination. Jesus can help

When we can't act, patience is needed, remembering that God is present

Jesus is with us when we are alone. We can be there for others when they feel alone

When facing a choice between Jesus and something you want, want Jesus more

When prayer is dry, avoid distractions and persist, knowing God will help

Addiction, but not the Christian life, is driven by dopamine loops

There are plenty of problems in the Church, but Jesus is the reason to stay

Jesus loves people, even ones who are difficult to like. To love Jesus, we need to love them too

It is not enough to rely on someone else being good instead of you. Go to Jesus to become good

Christianity can be a challenging invitation for families

Jesus in the Gospels shows some ways to tell true from false

Jesus gives himself to us to help us overcome the burdens of our past

Astrophotography, the taking of pictures of beautiful space nebula, can teach us about Jesus

Interruptions from those in need can be an opportunity to imitate Jesus

Being right is not good enough reason to answer harshly or bluntly. Be wise about correcting others