Fortitude

[arvinsim]

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

 

[beckycmarie]

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

Set an example for them by how you live. People watch what we do, and it has an effect on them.

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

Most of the time people will argue or justify themselves when you attempt to admonish them, but you’ve done your part in pointing something out to them. Perhaps your words will plant the seed for them to repent later.

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

Strive and pray for virtue in yourself, and pray for others. Holy people have an influence on those around them.

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

 

[KingAlfred]

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

Hold alone with the Lord. Work on your own spirituality. Accept the unpopularity that might engender. Jesus came to separate those who embrace His truth, from those who don’t. Seek not the company of non-believers and the mockers of our faith.

 

[stbruno]

I prefer the example part the best. However, at times, we must speak out. It never was more clear to me than just a couple of weeks ago when I attended a wedding out of town…and my local family could not understand why it was so important for me to go to mass this weekend. It disturbed me that the importance of the wedding was more important than going to Sunday mass. BTW, my family is born and raised…but obviously they are lapsed Catholics.

The question was…why is something happening at church today?
Yes, Jesus is going to be present and I want to receive him into my heart was my reply. Unfortunately, I believe my family did not believe of this importance. More reasons for me to pray.

 

[InLight247]

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

Usually when we give people “shoulds” and “oughts”, they don’t like it. I read in an article a while ago that the key points of Evangelization are three F’s “friends,** f**un and faith”. It made lot of senses.

Be friends with them, have fun with them, have faith in them and in God. Pray for those who you think have a need of conversion. And work on your own virtues, not others’.

God bless!

 

[MarieVeronica]

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

These are all very good questions. I think the only way to find the answers, is through prayer. Because with a deep prayer life, comes deeper grace and the wisdom and fortitude we all seek… to know how to deal with these concerns.

I would highly recommend Eucharistic Adoration, over everything else. The greatest graces will be received in the Presence of Jesus, Himself. God bless.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

Try not being so self-righteous.

Jim

 

[MarieVeronica]

Try not being so self-righteous.

Jim

Very respectfully… my impression of the OP’s question wasn’t “self righteousness”. But rather a question about how not to become discouraged… when we see so much evil in the world around us. And simply used “examples” of what he/she perceives in his own life circumstances.

Please correct me, if I have misunderstood. God bless.

 

[crenfro]

1808 Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. the virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. It disposes one even to renounce and sacrifice his life in defense of a just cause. "The Lord is my strength and my song."70 "In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."71 (from the Catechism)

What do you do when the people around you seem indifferent to their spiritual life?

Bless them, correct them lovingingly, find new friends who put their spiritual life as the highest priority and hang around them, concentrate on your own spiritual life, pray for them, release them in your heart to God’s care as God is all powerful while human beings are extremely limited beings, don’t worry, and allow yourself to experience God’s joy…and be careful whose advice you listen to!

When you admonish them to do what is right they just dismiss what you say?

“I’ll let myself out” if you’re in their house and “let me show you the door, dear” if they’re in your house, in a kind way…

When everywhere you like you strive to find virtue but usually get disappointed?

remember about looking for the speck in the other person’s eye before you’ve removed the log from your own eye…

maybe you could consider going to other places…if you’re going into the bad parts of town you’re less likely to see overtly virtuous acts…

How do find joy when everything seems to go contrary to goodness?

pay more attention to details in the mundane…do something for someone every day that will lift their spirits up a bit…

and, by the way, you sound depressed…I hope you feel better.

Remember to laugh.

I’d also suggest to go to an animal shelter and play with the puppies. And some counseling.

my two cents

 

[arvinsim]

Try not being so self-righteous.

That’s true and I will keep that in mind. But I would just like to ask. Where do we draw the line of shutting up and speaking out?

Very respectfully… my impression of the OP’s question wasn’t “self righteousness”. But rather a question about how not to become discouraged… when we see so much evil in the world around us. And simply used “examples” of what he/she perceives in his own life circumstances.

Please correct me, if I have misunderstood. God bless.

You are correct. I am the type of person who tends to look at other people for encouragement and example. When I can’t find people who are trying to live the faith I tend to get discouraged.

 

[MarieVeronica]

You are correct. I am the type of person who tends to look at other people for encouragement and example. When I can’t find people who are trying to live the faith I tend to get discouraged.

It happens to many of us, my friend. My advice… Adoration. There is nothing more encouraging and consoling… than having frequent “heart to heart” chats with Our Lord. God bless.

 

[arvinsim]

and, by the way, you sound depressed…I hope you feel better.

Remember to laugh.

I’d also suggest to go to an animal shelter and play with the puppies. And some counseling.

Your suggestion about the puppies made me laugh

I think my depression stems from being a worry wart and a pessimist. I usually have a lot of things in my mind.

Such thoughts as “what if my loved ones don’t remain indifferent?”,“Am I being self righteous?”,“Is it pride that motivates me to virtue?”, “Am I giving far too little time to God?”, “Joy is definitely one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit so maybe I’im doing something wrong”, etc.

Am I thinking too much?

 

[MarieVeronica]

Your suggestion about the puppies made me laugh

Fuzzy, purring kitty cats in your lap have the same effect. lol.