Coping/Dealing/Overcoming Temptation

[BarbaraTherese]

Have noticed in the rounds of the Forums a few trying to deal with temptation and of course I have my own ‘trying to’ also. I thought others may have valuable insights, or articles, to share.

Jean Pierre de Caussade in his “Abandonment to Divine Providence” has an excellent chapter/letter on trials and temptations I thought I’d share. While de Caussade wrote for and to strictly enclosed religious, a little adjustment here and there at times can apply his thoughts to the lay state in the world. While in this letter he states that religious have interior trials and lay people temporal adversity…of course we too can have trials and temptations of an interior nature as well as the temporal problems, difficulties, crosses and trials. In reading the great classics, we do need to apply common sense and realize that these great classics come out of different age of understanding of life and living. Be that as it may, I think the basic thought contained in these great works is universal and for every age.

ccel.org/ccel/decaussade/abandonment.iii_1.v.html?highlight=sister,anne,marie%20thérèse,de,rosen#highlight
Extract only from overall text, which is not too lengthy in total:

103
6th Principle. As God converts, proves, and sanctifies seculars by temporal afflictions and adversities, so He usually converts, proves, purifies and sanctifies religious by spiritual trials and interior sufferings a thousand times more grievous; such as dryness, weariness, loathing, sinkings of the heart, spiritual despondency, humiliating temptations, violent and continual, excessive fears of being in mortal sin, terrors about His judgments and fear of reprobation. If, as spiritual books, preachers, directors of souls and good Christians aver, incessant afflictions are necessary for people in the world, and that without them many would be lost; why not say the same on interior crosses without which a multitude of Religious would never arrive at the perfection of their state?
Experience shows daily that the most ordinary way by which God conducts the religious whom He most loves is that of greater interior trials; whereas, in regard to seculars who are dear to God, it is by the way of temporal adversity. Therefore we who preach patience, submission and a loving resignation in their troubles to seculars, ought in our own trials to apply the same rule to ourselves that we know so well how to give others. Do not interior crosses come also from God? Are they less mortifying, and, therefore, less salutary? Does God demand less submission from us, and is our patience less pleasing to Him?

 

[BarbaraTherese]

There are more chapters on temptation from de Caussade:

ccel.org/search?qu=temptation&category=fulltext&authorID=decaussade&bookID=abandonment

Letter I. On Temptations.
Abandonment to Divine Providence by de Caussade, Jean-Pierre, S.J.
Letter I.—On Temptations. On temptations and the fear of giving way to them. I …the violence of the temptation; but that which is, to

Letter II. The Fear of Temptation.

Letter II.—The Fear of Temptation. … the fear of temptations. My dear Sister, …temptations are altogether interior; if you fear to be carried

Letter III. The State of One Tempted.

An explanation of the state of a soul in temptation …temptation, and the good fruit derived from it by souls who …Holy Communion without taking any notice of your temptations.

Letter III. The Illusions of the Devil.

them as dangerous temptations. The second remedy for…dangerous than temptations to impurity; you must, therefore,…frightful temptations. You must remember that if these temptations

Letter IV. Different Temptations.

Letter IV.—Different Temptations. To Sister Marie-Thérèse de Vioménil. On different temptations. I see clearly by your letter, my dear Sister,

Letter XIV. On Discouragement.

most dangerous temptations that could assail any soul of good will; the temptation to discouragement. I conjure you

Letter XXVI. On Different States of Resignation.

in itself. When you experience this temptation you must say… of rebellions, pains, and temptations in the inferior part… 9th. It is a temptation and a false humility to

IV. Conduct after Faults.

temptation. Sometimes, however, God makes use of this anguish…but a mere temptation because actual attention is not necessary

I am not too sure if the numbered pages below deal with temptation but thought I would include them anyway:

1 2 3 4 Next »

 

[InLight247]

Thanks for the posting.

The following paragraph stands out for me:

When one no longer commits either mortal or deliberate venial sin one makes more progress in the ways of God by suffering than by action; from which I conclude that all you need do to ensure your salvation, and even to attain perfection is to endure as patiently as you can, and with peace and interior resignation, the painful state in which you are, imploring the aid of divine grace with an unshaken confidence in the merits of Jesus Christ.

How well that is said! And God’s grace are available for all of us. It’s up to us to respond.

God bless!

 

[mslizzie]

Thanks Barbara for the beautiful post. I am learning so much from you.

It is very difficult to resist temptation. I found this tool quite helpful whenever I am tempted. I do pray.

It helps drive the evil spirits away.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Thanks Barbara for the beautiful post. I am learning so much from you.

It is very difficult to resist temptation. I found this tool quite helpful whenever I am tempted. I do pray.

It helps drive the evil spirits away.

Hi Lizzie…I have “had my head into” “Abandonment to Divine Providence” for a few years now and found it a rewarding experience and still do. It is what I call a “bedside book” or a book to keep on hand as helpful to refer to at times. I am glad posts have been helpful to you…God is Good! Deo Gratius!.
Quoting you : “I found this tool quite helpful” - is there some quote you have forgotten to include?
Very happy indeed something will help drive those evil spirits away! It is sufferings like these that can make saints. As Caussade does say those that fight against temptation are not at all in the same “moral bucket” as those that willingly commit sin - it is not these latter that Satan needs tempt continually, for it has them already. Rather it is the servants of The Lord that are subject to temptation and sometimes continually so…God knows our hearts and the painful struggle we undergo.
Keeping you in prayer and please keep me in yours and thank you for the (name removed by moderator)ut…

Blessings and my regards…Barb

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Thanks for the posting.

The following paragraph stands out for me:

How well that is said! And God’s grace are available for all of us. It’s up to us to respond.

God bless!

Howdy InLight…I put Abandonment to Divine Providence and Introduction to The Devout Life(St. Francis de Sales)in the same place…I think they are a must read for anyone undertaking seriously the following of Christ and a committed spiritual life…
There are heaps of gems to ponder in both works…thank you for the (name removed by moderator)ut…

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I came up with this article, link below, after a Search on Catholic Answers, although no actual link for the article itself appeared. I thought it encouraging for any struggling with temptation. It is also short and to the point…The article was posted by Springbreeze:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=63645&highlight=temptation

What You Can Do About Temptation!

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P. Used with permission, from the Passionist Priests, to help spiritually guide the layman.

It’s not unusual for a confessor to be asked this question: “I want to love God so much, yet I have such strong temptations to certain sins. What is worse these temptations seem so attractive at times. Why is this?”

The Apostle Paul could easily answer that question. He wrote of how he experienced the same conflict-the law of his members fighting against the law of his mind. This constant conflict between our built-in inclinations to evil and our frequent desire to love God is the lot of everyone.

The first thing to say about temptation is-don’t be surprised at it! Scripture warns that we are inclined to evil from the days of our youth-and what is temptation but an invitation to evil. No matter how prolonged or intense the invitation-no one has to accept it. It’s what you do with temptation that really matters!

Is everyone tempted in the same way and in the same degree? Of course not! For one thing, your type of character and temperament makes a difference. Some saints are tempted against purity most of their lives, while others are freed after a brief encounter with temptation. Some are more inclined by nature to pride, while others have to be on guard against sensuality or avarice.

Difference of upbringing also leaves its mark here. A person trained to virtue from his youth will have an easier time of it than one who is not. Each soul usually has one special weakness, as well as past history of certain sins. These also influence his present behavior in time of temptation. Finally, there is the Providential design of God on each soul.

Why does God invite you to union with Himself and then permit you to be tempted so strongly? That’s easy, too. Temptation enables you to merit Heaven by your loyal struggle for “only the violent carry away.” Through it, God permits a means of purification as well as atonement for past sins. It even offers the opportunity to grow in the very virtue against which you are tempted.

Fully-confident that “to those who love God all things work unto good” the saints used their temptations as stepping stones to greater love of God. Each new temptation made them less reliant on self and more reliant on the grace of our Savior. They even found in their temptations an indication of the virtues God wished them to cultivate to a higher degree. Thus, their temptations prodded them on to a greater spiritual progress.

What’s the best way to fight temptation

? First be humble-for humility wins God’s grace and grace is made perfect in infirmity. Don’t be over-anxious about temptations because this may increase them; and don’t be over-careless, or temptation may catch you off guard. With alertness, firmness and calmness combat it when it strikes. Certain temptations are better handled by diversionary tactics such as those against chastity, rather than by trying to “push” them out of your mind.

Above all, pray frequently and fight perseveringly. Our Blessed Lord promised help to those who ask and a crown to those who persevere until the end. Some of His greatest saints were molded in a crucible of temptation. The same could be true of you!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

First Epistle of St. Peter - Chapter 5

6 Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation: 7 Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.

8

Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. 9 Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,

after you have suffered a little,*** will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you***

.

 

[nahbios]

Thanks Barbara Therese - what excellent resources!! God Bless the research!

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Thanks Barbara Therese - what excellent resources!! God Bless the research!

Sorry to be late! I try to keep a reign on things but sometimes there are ‘holes in the net’ . Thank you and Laus Dei, Allelui Amen!

 

[sbriton]

I’ve had this little book for 7 years and love it! Best $6 I ever spent!

Thanks for posting excerpts here. Great gift for everyone!

Simon

 

[nahbios]

Sorry to be late! I try to keep a reign on things but sometimes there are ‘holes in the net’ .

Not to worry! Happens to me…