IN TIMES OF AFFLICTION, YOU MAY GROW YOUR FAITH IF YOU BELIEVE!   Not long ago, many of you learned that I got infected with Covid 19. I had not been infected since the outbreak. I discovered that our Father allows us to find treasures even in the middle of the desert. We all know this virus has caused millions of deaths worldwide and tears in the families who have suffered it. In my personal experience, I discovered a number of things that nourished my soul. And I realized that the virus has powerful physical impacts. Shortly after the pandemic outbreak, I wrote a post about Covid on social media. I said that if I ever got infected, the first thing I would do would be what is required to fight the disease, including care and treatment. On the other hand, I would ask Jesus to heal me and help me out of such a situation, provided His perfect will would wish to. Otherwise, I would entrust my soul to God for “neither death would separate us” (cf. Rom 8, 39), and if the time would come to depart for the Father's home, His Holy Will would then be fulfilled. Today, after my experience, I still think the same. And that was exactly what I did during my days with Covid. The Lord says: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. (Is 43, 19) I know that every suffering that God allows serves as an X-ray that reveals our interior regarding our faith and the way we see life. It turns into an examination to know who we really are. It confirms whether or not we have our values thoroughly grounded. And if we discover we do not, we easily fall into disappointment and fear. One of the treasures we discover during a crisis is that it allows us to put things in place, value what is really important, and recognize the things unworthy of suffering and concern. We appreciate more life and the people we must love, especially when such a crisis is a disease. I don't like to say: "Thank you Lord, for you sent me this disease," for I believe God allows the disease but does not send it to us. God is a genuinely loving Father, but disease, accidents, and death are part of living in an imperfect world as a result of the first sin of our first forefathers, Adam and Eve. Hence, unexpected things can happen to us all, both the good and the bad. The difference is whether or not you have a relationship with God and perceive Jesus as an actual person or a distant figure. This defines whether you will face your situation alone or turn to God. For God is the one who trains us and gives us the strength to cope through these tribulations, struggles, and sufferings…