How to deal with temptation?

[St.Rose]

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[Dark Knight]

Hi St Rose

i hope that things get better for you soon.

I find that during trials and low spots, speaking to my Spiritual Director is a big help, provided that i am honest with him and act on the advice given .

[disciple012005]

St.Rose, these continual temptations are probably the most difficult task you will face as you advance in your faith. I can only suggest contiuous prayer, frequent examination of conscience and regular confession. Also keep your mind and body occupied at all times. Continuous mental prayer will also assist.
I would also advise more frequent minor mortifications (such as missing a meal when you feel hungry or kneeling briefy on hard surface with unprotected knees) and perhaps less regular use of the more sever mortifications so that you do not get too used to them.
As for your more "tawdry" temptations,as you put it and if they are temptations of the flesh, you might find a quick cold shower when possible, helpful.
Regards, Ian

[St.Rose]

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[Windhover]

How do you deal with temptation?

Although I am going through a very intense experience of God atm ~ sometimes He feels so real to me, it is as if I can feel His touch ~ I am at the same time being assailed by a multitude of temptations. Things I thought I had dealt with, and God had "healed" in me are coming back to torment me, and I'm really struggling. Smoking is a BIGGIE and I have given in to that, but also other, less savoury stuff which I won't go into here!

I am doing all the ususal stuff, praying and praying, especially for spiritual protection. Praying on my knees on a hard floor to encourage vigilance; increasing my mortifications; reading Scripture, asking "my" Saints to intercede for me...nothing seems to be working! The best way I can describe how this feels is that I have been dropped into a big bucket of sin with smooth sides that I can't climb out of, and I'm not waving but drowning!

Help! Has anyone any help or advice for me. My head is full of sinful thoughts, and the temptation to turn them into actions...

I think I have some idea of what you are going through, St. Rose. Especially:

"Things I thought I had dealt with, and God had "healed" in me are coming back to torment me, and I'm really struggling."

I have been experiencing just such a thing myself, and it is a bit shattering, not to mention very humbling. For myself I attribute it partly to the fact that in August I will be taking my 'temporary promise' as a secular discalced Carmelite after four years of formation. This experience even made me question whether or not I should continue with the Carmelites. I felt so utterly unworthy.

I am no spiritual expert, so I don't have much to offer, except to say that I believe that, even when we make progress in an area of sinfulness, we do not always 'pull it out by the root' as a desert father described it. I think now that God wills for me to deal with certain spiritual issues in a much deeper way. And that can be terribly painful.

St.Rose, do you like to read St. John of the Cross? I am just finishing "Living Flame of Love". In it John speaks of the "Purgative Way":

19. Before the divine fire is introduced into the substance of the soul and united with it through perfect and complete purgation and purity, its flame, which is the Holy Spirit, wounds the soul by destroying and consuming the imperfections of its bad habits. And this is the work of the Holy Spirit, in which he disposes it for divine union and transformation in God through love

And Neither is the flame refreshing and peaceful, but it is consuming and contentious, making a person faint and suffer with self-knowledge.

"Living Flame" has been a great comfort to me. If you are interested, I can give you a link to the book online.

Most especially keep in mind God's Divine Mercy - as St. Faustina tells us, His Mercy is greater than His Justice.

I will pray for you and I would appreciate it if you would say a prayer for me as well.

Pax.

[Windhover]

St.Rose, these continual temptations are probably the most difficult task you will face as you advance in your faith. I can only suggest contiuous prayer, frequent examination of conscience and regular confession. Also keep your mind and body occupied at all times. Continuous mental prayer will also assist.
I would also advise more frequent minor mortifications (such as missing a meal when you feel hungry or kneeling briefy on hard surface with unprotected knees) and perhaps less regular use of the more sever mortifications so that you do not get too used to them.
As for your more "tawdry" temptations,as you put it and if they are temptations of the flesh, you might find a quick cold shower when possible, helpful.
Regards, Ian

This is such sound advice, Ian. I appreciate it as well.

[St.Rose]

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[mark]

I do know how it is. I suffer at th emoment from temptations to think and do tings that I thought I had left behind me, including purity issues, for which I agree that cold showers are the right thing - also fasting. I now try to cary something in my pocket at all times which will mortify me, such as a length of thorned rose bush or a piece of spiked wire, ether of which I can grip in my hand as I pray to hav the strength to resist.

Mark

[Windhover]

I have been experiencing just such a thing myself, and it is a bit shattering, not to mention very humbling. For myself I attribute it partly to the fact that in August I will be taking my 'temporary promise' as a secular discalced Carmelite after four years of formation. This experience even made me question whether or not I should continue with the Carmelites. I felt so utterly unworthy.

Thank you so much for this, Windhover! I too am taking vows this August, as a Benedictine Oblate, and I think that may be making me a target for the evil one! I too struggle with feelings of utter unworthiness, and the quote from St. John of the Cross resonates deeply...it does feel like all my sinfulness and dysfunction is rising to the surface, like the dross that is burnt away in the furnace...it's so painful, I feel pulled apart by it. Yesterday I made such a complete fool of myself and messed up big time beacuse of sin, but today I have a glimpse of God's redeeming love...there is hope!

I am delighted to hear that you are taking vows as a Benedictine Oblate -- and the same month I am entering the Discalced Carmelite Seculars! Our ceremony is the third Sunday of August - when is yours? I will remember to say a special prayer for you on that day.

The Benedictines have their own rich spiritual literature - do you have a favorite book by a Benedictine saint? I read a poem by St. John of the Cross years ago when I was an agnostic - in a college literature book - and I couldn't get it out of my mind (and heart). Now, all these years later, I believe he lead me to this point. Was there anyone in particular who led you to the Benedictines?

God bless you and bring you safely to your special day. It is not bad to lose fairh in ourselves if it causes us to have greater faith in God.

"Grace is everywhere!"

-Georges Bernanos, "Diary of a Country Priest"