God Is The Wind Beneath My Wings
Arokia Mary Roy
God, in all His goodness, calls us to live life to its fullest. This does not mean everything will be fine all the time. As the saying goes, life is not a bed of roses. Through life’s ups and downs, thick and thin, God invites us to experience fullness, abundance, and a peace that surpasses all understanding. What truly matters is how we approach — or rather, embrace — the realities of life.
Skillfully handling life’s challenges is an art, a byproduct of the experiences and life lessons that unfold before us. Challenges are a natural part of life, no matter who we are or what we do. They span from conception to the moment we breathe our last.
At each stage of life, we face our own set of struggles and challenges. Failures, disappointments, health issues, unfulfilled dreams, family or relationship conflicts, loneliness, financial concerns, doubts, fears, losses, decisive moments — most of us have tasted some or all of these hard-to-swallow pills.
Raised in a traditional Catholic family, religious practices were woven into our daily lives. Only later did I realize that these prayers, practices, and pilgrimages had laid a foundation of faith and a steady reliance on God. Growing up in an overprotective and conservative environment, I struggled with socializing as a young person. Self-doubt and a poor self-image clouded my mind, leading to an identity crisis.
During a college retreat, I was captivated by God’s love and grace. He revealed this truth: I am His beloved daughter, and that is my true identity. Assured of God’s love, my fears and doubts began to crumble. The seeds of faith sown by my parents took root and began to flourish. Slowly but surely, my confidence began to rise. The challenges I faced as a student were many, but I saw God’s guiding hand through it all. My focus improved, and so did my grades.
In the end, God blessed me with a University first rank in my B.Ed. degree. To God be the glory! Yes, challenges are inevitable, but the realization of God’s love and strength enables us to accept ourselves, shift our focus from our weaknesses, and let God’s glory shine through our lives.
God says, “Behold, I make all things new.” He is a God of renewal and creativity. When we live, move, and find our being in Him, we are equipped to imitate HIM in this journey of newness and creativity. Even through life’s uncertainties, God inspires us with fresh ideas and new approaches to face challenges. This can come as a sudden insight or through the wisdom of loved ones.
When I faced the decision of choosing a career, my parents’ wisdom helped me make the right choice. God teaches us to be receptive to His voice and promptings, often conveyed through the people close to us. How enriching life would be if we sought God’s guidance through those around us and in the everyday events that bring freshness to our lives.
Challenges are not signs of abandonment but parts of a larger plan — the big picture that God has so beautifully designed for us. Prayer and surrender bring immense comfort and clarity. Sharing our fears, doubts, and struggles with God lightens our hearts.
God blessed me with a loving husband and understanding, hardworking children. Our family was filled with love and laughter. Although we faced many financial and emotional challenges, we overcame them only by God’s grace. Then everything changed when my husband succumbed to COVID. Even after a month in the hospital, his damaged lungs could not be revived. We lost a wonderful person. My son, daughter, and I felt as though we had lost everything.
This was, and still is, the greatest challenge of my life. Yes, death is inevitable, but missing the love and presence of someone so dear is agonizing.
Staying anchored in faith during such challenges is difficult but possible. Amidst the countless questions, I began to tell God, “Lord, you know it all. I surrender to Your will.” Gradually, I emerged from the numbness and coldness that pain had brought into my being. I realized I had two choices: to repeatedly relive painful memories, sink into grief, and stay inactive, or to use this pain to understand and help others, to live purposefully, and not let this pain be wasted. I chose the latter, believing that this pain had a greater purpose.
Once again, faith became a powerful way to weather the storm. Worry ends where faith begins. Faith moulds us into people of depth, strength, and hope. God brings people into our lives who may be experiencing even greater pain. Compassion rises within us, helping us understand and alleviate their suffering.
Though we may not be experts at facing challenges, the strength and resilience we show can inspire and comfort many aching souls. God gave me the opportunity to support my friend’s mother, who was in the advanced stages of cancer. Despite my own challenges, God strengthened me to walk with her during her final months.
Losing loved ones brings many challenges. But as a close friend reminded me, we each have our individuality, our own purpose to fulfill. We must seek God’s help and the support of those around us to cope with these challenges.
We should avoid overthinking and entrust our thoughts to God. The mind is powerful — it can break us or make us. Setting aside time for self-care, including spiritual nurturing, is essential. We are spiritual beings within human bodies. I find strength when I spend time in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord, sometimes in silence or in tears. He understands
Being open to learning new things helps us grow more resilient and creative over time. Flexibility in facing situations also paves the way for renewal. God guides our decisions, bringing clarity when life feels uncertain. This is our faith. Like a gentle breeze guiding us, God’s love lifts us to soar high, like eagles. We cannot escape challenges. But with the awareness of God’s abiding and guiding presence within us we will be able to embrace all challenges and walk towards eternity.
(Arokia Mary Roy brings over 30 years of experience as a dedicated Mathematics teacher at Holy Angels’ A.I.H.S.S., Chennai. She holds a Postgraduate Degree in Psychology and has a strong passion for nurturing both academic and emotional growth in her students.)
