Answer: There is no shame in feeling discouraged, even spiritually, during difficult times. Many have suffered tremendous losses this storm season, and our area experienced severe damage to both life and property. In the face of such devastation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but we must remember that God is always near, even in the darkest moments.

When hardship strikes, it can feel as though God is distant, but He is not. Our Heavenly Father is always close, and Christ is our constant companion through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. In times of suffering, God is with us, offering His gifts of faith, hope, and love—gentle lights that will guide us through the darkness of discouragement. These gifts are not fleeting but enduring, and we must learn to embrace them with trust. Just as God is gentle and merciful with us, we must also learn to be gentle with ourselves. We must allow ourselves the space to grieve, acknowledging the deep pain and loss that come with difficult times.

Grief, however, often triggers anxiety and frantic activity. It's a natural reaction to rush through our feelings, try to "fix" things, or distract ourselves from the pain. But prayerfulness, calm, and a deepened hope are needed during such times. 

We must call upon our faith, especially when discouragement threatens to lead to despair. When we pray, entrusting our burdens to God’s grace, we find the Lord eases our load and fills our hearts with renewed encouragement.

Hardship can also lead to loneliness, feelings of isolation, and estrangement. But it's precisely in these times that communion with our brothers and sisters becomes indispensable. Hardship is far more bearable when faced together. Sharing one another's burdens, offering a helping hand, and celebrating the strength of fellowship makes the weight of suffering lighter. Recently, I had the privilege of celebrating Mass at St. John Vianney Parish—under a tent because the church building and campus were devastated by hurricanes Helene and Milton. Despite the physical devastation, there was a buoyant spirit among those gathered for the Eucharist. The parishioners found strength in their union with Christ and the unity they shared as a family of faith. It reminded me that faith is made stronger through community, and hardship is overcome more easily when we face it together.

I have personally felt this sense of unity and strength. My rectory was damaged requiring extensive repairs, so I have been staying in another diocesan residence. When I returned to collect a few things, I realized that most of my possessions were not truly essential. They were things I had accumulated over the years, but none were irreplaceable, and none defined who I am. This realization helped break through my discouragement. What mattered was that I was alive, safe, and comfortable. My family and friends were okay, and we could be together, offering each other support. I couldn't help but thank God for His blessings. 

In the midst of hardship, counting our blessings can lift us out of discouragement and restore our hearts to hope.

It's also important to remember that while tropical storms and hurricanes can seem purely destructive, they are part of the earth's natural cycle. Like rainfall and winds, storms are a cleansing and renewing force, vital for revitalizing ecosystems and replenishing our natural resources. Though the immediate effects of hurricanes can be overwhelming, they ultimately play a critical role in maintaining the balance of our environment.

Viewing hurricanes as a natural phenomenon—rather than merely something to fear—can shift our perspective and offer hope. These forces of nature are challenges to be respected and to which we can adapt, just as we adapt to the changing seasons.  In recognizing this, we are reminded of our own resilience. It's not the storms that define us but how we rise to meet them. 

We can face the storms with faith, fortified by the knowledge that we can endure, rebuild, and emerge stronger.

In the end, it is our ability to face adversity with grace and resilience, supported by our faith and our community, that defines us. Through these trials, we grow, and through these challenges, we discover our capacity for faith, hope, love, and courage.