Washington State
I would like to connect with other members who are located in Washington state. Please email me at DebraBlack@1cor138.com if interested. God bless you!
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"Biting, Saddening, and Placing Obstacles"
St. Ignatius says in Rule 2 of his first set of rules that the enemy will "bite, sadden, and place obstacles, disquieting with false reasons" those who are striving to go from good to better. I have noticed that these obstacles and false reasonings often begin with the words: "What if . . ." Here are some examples:
“What if my family or my friends reject me when they see that I'm changing?"
"What if I tell a spiritual director or priest about this sin and he yells at me, laughs at me, or just loses respect for me?"
"What if I commit myself to regular prayer and I just can't keep it up?"
"If I get married, what if I turn out to be a bad father?"
"If I enter the seminary, what if I don't make it and have to go home a failure?"
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Storing up a Supply of Strength (Rule 10, First Week)
Fr. Gallagher and I are often encouraged by the creative suggestions made by those attending retreats and seminars on the rules. One such area of creativity regards "storing up a supply of strength" as defense against the day of future desolation. How do we do this? Here are some possibilities, several of which were suggested by students:
Praying for future strength: Take advantage of the fact that it's easier to pray during consolation by asking for strength for the ensuing desolation.
Journaling: Desolation often claims power over the past as well as the future. A written reminder of God's closeness to be read during times of future desolation can be powerful. Some people, while in consolation, have even written a letter to their future self in desolation!
Keepsaking: Keeping a holy card or other reminder of a consoling time during a retreat, day of prayer, etc. for future reference.
Studying…
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debrablack
Apr 18, 2025
My immediate default is the Jesus prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.
In the worst of times I used to carry with me a favorite book of spiritual reading (Mystical Evolution by John Arintero) that spoke the truths of the spiritual life which countered the falsehoods the enemy would put into my mind. 😊
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Thank you for the post. That's another great example of the biting and disquieting of the enemy. The consolation of the good spirit in this case might involve the assurance that God will not call you to something that will overwhelm you; he will only ask you to do your best given the gifts, time, and resources that you have.