Quote:
- The Christian Approach Series
All religions ask fundamental questions about man, the universe in which he lives, his origin, his purpose and end; his need of forgiveness and strength; his attempt to live the good life; his desire to get on terms with whatever final reality there may be; his longing for immortality. These questions are matters of life and death.
- The Imitation of Christ; Thomas a Kempis
So long as we live in this world, we cannot be without tribulations and temptation. According as it is written in Job, "The life of man upon earth is a life of temptation.". Everyone therefore ought to be careful about his temptations, and to watch in prayer, lest the devil find an occasion to deceive him; for he never sleeps, but goes about seeking whom he may devour. No man is so perfect and holy, but he has sometimes temptations; and without them we cannot be.
Nevertheless, temptations are often very profitable to us, though they be troublesome and grievous, for in them a man is humbled, purified, and instructed. All saints passed through many tribulations and temptations, and profited thereby. And they that could not bear temptations, become reprobate, and fell away. There is no order so holy, nor place so secret, where there be not temptations, or adversities.
There is no man that is altogether free from temptation while he lives on earth; for in ourselves is the root, being born with an inclination to evil. When one temptation or tribulation goes away, another comes, and we shall ever have something to suffer, because we are fallen from the state of our happiness. Many seek to flee temptations, and fall more grievously into them. By flight alone we cannot overcome, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies.
He that only avoids them outwardly, and does not pluck them up by the roots, shall profit little. Temptations will sooner return unto him, and he shall feel himself in a worse state than before. By little and little, and by patience with long-suffering through God's help, you shall more easily overcome, than with violence and your own importunity. Often take counsels in temptations, and deal not roughly with him that is tempted; but give him comfort, as you would wish to be done to yourself.
The beginning of all evil temptations is inconstancy of mind, and little trust in God. For as a ship without a helm is tossed to and fro with the waves, so the man who is remiss, and apt to leave to his purpose, is in many ways tempted. Fire tries iron, and temptation tries a just man. We know not oftentimes what we are able to do, but temptations show us what we truly are. Yet we must be watchful, especially in the beginning of temptation; for the enemy is then more easily overcome, if he is not suffered to enter the door of our hearts, but is resisted without the gate at his first knock. Wherefore someone said,"Withstand the beginnings, for later the remedy comes too late." For first there comes to the mind a bare thought, then a strong imagination, afterward, delight, an evil motion, and then consent. And so by little and little our wicked enemy gets complete entrance, while he is not resisted in the beginning. And the longer a man is negligent in resisting, so much the weaker does he become daily in himself, and the enemy stronger against him.
Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion; others at the end. Others again are much troubled almost through the whole life. Some are easily tempted, according to the wisdom and equity of the Divine appointment, which weighs the states and worth of men, and ordains all things for the welfare of his own chosen ones.
We ought not therefore to despair when we are tempted, but so much the more fervently to pray unto God, that he will grant us help in all tribulations; who, surely, according to the words of St. Paul, will give with the temptation a way of escape, that we may be able to bear it. Let us therefore humble our souls under the hand of God in all temptations and tribulations, for he will save and exalt the humble in spirit.
In temptations and afflictions a man is proved how much he has profited; and his reward is thereby greater, and his graces do more eminently shine forth. Neither is it any such great thing if a man be devout and fervent, when he feels no affliction; but if in time of adversity he bears himself patiently, there is hope then of great progress in grace. Some are kept from great temptations, and in small ones which do daily occur, are often overcome; to the end that, being humbled, they may never presume on themselves in great matters, who are baffled in so small things.
For He has made us to be more than conquerors...
On another note:
I think I'm only finally starting to understand the truth and the essence of the great God that I believe in. And it is simple: this life is but ash in light of eternity, and all the pleasures that have grazed my timeline is but dust compared to His blessings of love and immortality. And nothing or no one in this world is so precious that I should choose the world instead of Him, and in doing so, breaking His heart. Because when the light goes out from my mortal eyes, there is nothing else that I can carry with me save my relationship with my Maker, and the promise that He has given; where no tears of sadness shall ever touch my eyes again, and He shall be the light of my day; where darkness has no home, and sorrows will flee from His presence; where love is everlasting and pure, and life abundant.
No, nothing is as precious as this.
