I don’t know about you but I’m burnt out on news of the virus, tired of the bickering on social media, and, even as an introvert, find myself getting anxious about staying home all day long. If you find yourself in this same boat—I’m calling it the S.S. Overwhelmed—I hope these wise words from saints can provide a soothing balm for your weary and overwhelmed mind and soul.
To make things easier for you, and because I know most of us just want to get exact what we’re looking for, I’ve broken the quotes down into three categories:
– When you’re tired of the situation and want stirring motivation to keep pushing forward;
– When you feel anxious and need soothing, inspiring words of peace;
– When you’re floundering and need extra grace to keep going.
Ready? Here we go!
Tired of the situation and need motivation:
“The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” – St. Thomas More
“Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.” – St. Catherine of Siena
“Therefore, you must make a sound and firm resolution to submit yourselves totally to His will and, with a lively and steadfast faith, to receive from Him what you have to do for love of Him.” – St. Angela Merici
“We must not wish anything other than what happens from moment to moment, all the while, however, exercising ourselves in goodness.” – St. Catherine of Genoa
“Let’s stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial. Let us wait upon God’s strengthening aid and say to him, ‘O Lord, you have been our refuge in all generations.’” – St. Boniface
“We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on science that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries but on Jesus alone.” – St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
“You’re bored? That’s because you keep your senses awake and your soul asleep.” – St. Josemaria Escriva
“You must not abandon the ship in a storm because you cannot control the winds. What you cannot turn to good, you must, at least, make as little bad as you can.” – St. Thomas More
“Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
Feeling anxious and need soothing and inspiring words of peace:
“Let peace be your quest and aim.” – St. Benedict of Nursia
“The important thing is not to think much but to love much; and so do that which best stirs your heart.” – St. Teresa of Avila
“Patience smooths away lots of difficulties.” – St. John Bosco
“Miss no single opportunity to make some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it for love.” – St. Therese of Lisieux
“It is requisite for the relaxation of the mind that we make use, from time to time, of playful deeds and jokes.” – St. Thomas Aquinas
“If the heart wanders or is distracted, bring it back to the point quite gently and replace it tenderly in its Master’s presence. Though it went away every time you brought it back, your hour would be well employed.” – St. Francis de Sales
“Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Anxiety doesn’t help at all. Our merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.” – St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio)
“He will provide the way and the means such as you could never have imagined. Leave it all to Him; let go of yourself; lose yourself on the Cross and you will find yourself entirely.” – St. Catherine of Siena
Floundering and need extra graces to keep going:
“I would like an abundance of peace. I would like full vessels of charity. I would like rice treasures of mercy. I would like cheerfulness to preside overall.” – St. Brigid of Kildare (Ireland)
“Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with You.” – St. Brendan
“Do not be anxious; go straight on forgetful of self, letting the spirit of God act instead of your own.” – St. Julie Billiart
“Case yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if He wants anything of you, He will fit you for the work and give you strength.” – St. Philip Neri
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
“The accidents of life separate us from our dearest friends, but let us not despair. God is like a looking glass in which souls see each other. The more united we are to Him by love, the nearer we are to those who belong to Him.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
“Be patient because the weaknesses of the body are given to us in this world by God for the salvation of the soul. So they are of great merit when they are borne patiently.” – St. Francis of Assisi
“No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the Cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.” – St. Leo the Great
Bookmark this page and find the quote that best speaks to you in the moment or that day. Feel free to write down and/or memorize it. Come back and find a new one when your frame of mind changes. Just remember that we’re all on the S.S. Overwhelm and that, together, we will make it out in one piece at the end of this chaos.
Featured Image: Pixabay. Free for commercial use. No attribution required.
