“For we contend not with flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”
How the heck are we supposed to do it?
We’re attacked daily by temptations and by these dark powers who seem to rule the world. Every. flipping. day. Will it ever end?
Nope.
It gets exhausting.
Have you ever been affected by spiritual warfare? It’s definitely real, so it’s likely you have.
Have you discounted it, saying “Oh, that was just a coincidence?” Hm. You may want to reconsider.
It can get so discouraging. One friend struggles with his family, another with her faith, another with his past, and still another with pretty much every aspect of her life. Spiritual attack comes at us from every side.
What’s a Catholic to do? Get down, see no hope for the world, think that junior year of college must be the end of everything good in life. Of course. Right?
Wrong.
Our battles aren’t with the things of this world. Our battles are based in our fight for salvation. Every day is an active battle for our soul, and sometimes, it’s easy to win that battle for the day. Other days, it’s pretty clear to us that satan is winning against us. But is he really winning?
Nope.
It gets exhausting.
Have you ever been affected by spiritual warfare? It’s definitely real, so it’s likely you have.
Have you discounted it, saying “Oh, that was just a coincidence?” Hm. You may want to reconsider.
It can get so discouraging. One friend struggles with his family, another with her faith, another with his past, and still another with pretty much every aspect of her life. Spiritual attack comes at us from every side.
What’s a Catholic to do? Get down, see no hope for the world, think that junior year of college must be the end of everything good in life. Of course. Right?
Wrong.
Our battles aren’t with the things of this world. Our battles are based in our fight for salvation. Every day is an active battle for our soul, and sometimes, it’s easy to win that battle for the day. Other days, it’s pretty clear to us that satan is winning against us. But is he really winning?
“For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and in Him is plenteous redemption”.
Ultimately, our salvation is won already. We have to strive for it ourselves, and we can forfeit that salvation through our actions. (Get ye to confession, ya’ll!) But as we walk, and fight, and struggle, and ultimately conquer with and through the Lord, He is there as that loving shepherd who only seeks our good.
The other side, the dark side, looks pretty nice sometimes. Hence, temptation. And if you’ve been to that place before, it can be even easier to go there. But if you’ve been there before, you also know how empty and dark and hopeless it feels. With the Lord, we find that redemption that the psalmist speaks of. Redemption which brings fullness and light and oh-so-much Hope.
So go fight that battle. Face the rulers of this world with your rosary and holy hour and confession. Tackle your temptations head-on through unity with the Lord.
Be Strong in the Faith.
And pray with and for each other, not being afraid, because He has won for us.
The other side, the dark side, looks pretty nice sometimes. Hence, temptation. And if you’ve been to that place before, it can be even easier to go there. But if you’ve been there before, you also know how empty and dark and hopeless it feels. With the Lord, we find that redemption that the psalmist speaks of. Redemption which brings fullness and light and oh-so-much Hope.
So go fight that battle. Face the rulers of this world with your rosary and holy hour and confession. Tackle your temptations head-on through unity with the Lord.
Be Strong in the Faith.
And pray with and for each other, not being afraid, because He has won for us.