It happened in an instant.
One moment, I was getting ready for work. The next, I realized my car door was open—and my wallet was gone.
That hollow, gut-sinking feeling hit hard. Credit cards. ID. Cash.
All vanished in a flash.
Frustration and anxiety surged, wiping away any peace I had that morning. Left unchecked, that moment could have shaped my entire day—and chipped away at my mental health.
But then something unexpected stirred in me:
What if I prayed for the person who stole it?
Not a vague, passive wish. A real prayer—for their heart, their life, and their dignity.✝️
Jesus says something radical in Matthew 5:43–48:
“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”
He reminds us that God causes the sun to rise on both the just and the unjust. And we’re called to love with that same mercy—even when it costs us something.💔
Was it more than a crime? Could it have been a cry for help? It’s easy to label someone as “bad” but Christ sees deeper than this.
He saw brokenness where others saw rebellion and I realized I could do the same. What if this person was battling addiction, homelessness, or fear? I’ll never know their story—but I can choose not to respond with anger or judgment.
When we return harm with grace—especially when it’s undeserved—we live as children of light.
That prayer didn’t recover my wallet… but it did recover my peace.
It re-centered my heart and reminded me that healing and mercy aren’t just for others—but also for me. In that moment, God worked not only for my salvation, but for my mental and emotional well-being.
🙏 So I prayed—not because it made sense, but because mercy always leads us back to Christ.
“O merciful God, fill our hearts with the graces of your Holy Spirit: with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control... Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who use us…”
—Prayer of St. Anselm (1033–1109)
May we all grow into a deeper love—
The kind that forgives the thief,
Prays through the pain,
And looks to Christ as our model of mercy.
#CatholicCounseling #FaithInTheRealWorld #EmotionalResilience #depression #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalillness
