Clarification of Trials from God

[Daniel27]

My question is at the end, but before that, this is a passage about St. Catherine of Siena:

Fierce Temptations​

One day, Catherine conceived a great yearning for the virtue of fortitude. She had a spiritual encounter with Christ, who explained that she would gain this virtue through certain trials that would soon visit her. The trials were temptations to lust that beset her night and day. Vivid images filled her mind, as devils pestered her continually. She responded by incessant prayer and penances such as fasting, vigils, and scourging her body. The apparent absence of Christ compounded her struggles.

Victory​

After several days of struggle, a ray of the Holy Spirit entered her soul as she returned from church. Her thoughts reminded her of what she originally hoped to receive, namely, the virtue of fortitude. She marveled that her endurance of strong temptations was the very means by which she acquired fortitude. She subsequently fought more earnestly to repel the demons that afflicted her. When a devil came to tempt her once more, she said she was willing to endure all pains. In view of her boldness, the devil fled and her temptations against chastity ceased. In view of her victory, Jesus visited her to bestow rich blessings on her soul.

She complained to him, “Lord, where were you when my heart was so tormented?” Jesus responded, “I was in the center of your heart.” Catherine wondered how it could be, as impure thoughts engulfed her mind. Jesus asked if the thoughts gave her pleasure or pain. She told him that the thoughts caused her pain and sadness. Jesus then explained to her that it was because he was in her heart, that these thoughts were painful and not pleasurable. He told her that he defended her throughout the ordeal.

It is noteworthy that temptations enriched St. Catherine immensely. Her victory in the time of battle gained for her purity, fortitude, and God’s copious blessings, such that by only reciting the Lord’s Prayer, she went into ecstasy. By her example, St. Catherine offers three helpful lessons for the tempted: remember God’s presence, live austerely, such as by fasting from excessive food, and finally, blessings will come after the storm, so be patient.
[End Quote]

In light of this and any other relevant examples, when something like what St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:13,

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it,”

I’m curious about what happens when we meet these ‘storms of temptations’ but we fail (ie, we give into the sin’). What happens then, do we get any benefits or increases in virtues? Feel free to expand on Romans 5:20 here. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Gorgias]

I’m curious about what happens when we meet these ‘storms of temptations’ but we fail (ie, we give into the sin’). What happens then, do we get any benefits or increases in virtues?

We get the opportunity to repent and to receive grace through the sacrament of reconciliation.

To suggest “when I sin, I increase in virtue” is kinda… odd.

 

[JGD]

…
It is noteworthy that temptations enriched St. Catherine immensely. Her victory in the time of battle gained for her purity, fortitude, and God’s copious blessings, …
[End Quote]

In light of this and any other relevant examples, when something like what St. Paul says in
I’m curious about what happens when we meet these ‘storms of temptations’ but we fail (ie, we give into the sin’). What happens then, do we get any benefits or increases in virtues? Feel free to expand on Romans 5:20 here. Any help would be much appreciated.

Note that St. Catherine did not fail and fall into sin when she was besieged by temptations. It was her successful battle against them that merited her an increase in virtue.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

When you fall into sin, you don’t get a “benefit or increase in virtue”.

You might

• be reminded of God’s merciful love through repentance and confession
• learn a lesson, such as avoiding near occasions of sin in the future, or that sin is not all it’s cracked up to be, or that you are weak and should be humble and know that you don’t do anything on your own, you do it all with the help of God
• learn to do better at resisting temptation next time.

But it would be better if you didn’t give in to the temptation at all.

 

[Fati]

Feel free to expand on Romans 5:20 here.

The law gives you direction on what to pray for Grace for. Because god answers specifically requests. Like Romans 1: 27 showed what the process of deception is.

 

[Dan_Defender]

I’m curious about what happens when we meet these ‘storms of temptations’ but we fail (ie, we give into the sin’).

What happens is we get up and keep fighting.
‘A saint is not someone who never sins, but one who sins less and less frequently and gets up more and more quickly.’ - St. Bernard of Clairvaux