Jesus using the devil to torment saints

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Hello,

I’m trying to understand the life of St. Gemma Galgani. In her biography it says, " Jesus said to His servant Gemma: “Be prepared My child. The Devil, at my bidding, will be the one who, by the war he will rage against you, will give the last touch to the work that I will accomplish in you.”

Why would Jesus send the devil to torture someone?

It reminds me of the Diary of St. Faustina when he says “My child, you please Me most by suffering.” (Diary, 279)

Why would God love making those he loves suffer?

Help me understand please.
 
God allows satan to have at it on a person to test that person or to accomplish what he needs done. Read the book of Job.
 
These Saints are victim souls. Jesus allows them to assist in his work of salvation by suffering for sinners. The Saints add their sufferings to Christ’s passion in order to atone for the sins of others. Jesus doesn’t need any help from people but he chooses to allow some people to be co-redeemers with him. For example, St Francis of Assisi and St. Pio both had the stigmata and suffered for sinners.
 
Canadian75 said:
Why would God love making those he loves suffer?
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Virtue is only possible if we are tested; while suffering becomes redemptive and beneficial for the salvation of souls when we unite our sufferings to the sufferings of Christ on the cross. It’s what carrying our cross and offering up our sufferings and mortifications is all about; for example, Jesus said that some demons can only be exorcised through prayer and fasting. Fasting is a form of suffering, yet it has great spiritual (and physical) benefits. Thus when the devil is permitted to tempt us, we grow spiritually when we overcome the temptation by resorting to God’s Grace. It’s the way it works. Pulling a rotten tooth can involve suffering; winning a marathon involves suffering and sacrifice; learning to master the violin involves the suffering of tedious practice and self discipline. God permits those on the road to saintliness and holiness to suffer spiritually, in order to grow spiritually…
 
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Isn’t there a difference between allowing the devil to torment someone and sending the devil to torment someone?
 
The devil.rums around free in this world according to the books of.elders. I would imagine him attacking Gemma on himself would be far worse than attacking her under Jesus’s watch. It was a way to delude the devil not Gemma.
Plus Jesus himself was subjected to the devil’s attack and the saints wanting to join Him on the Cross probably already knew a struggle against the devil.was bound to happen.
 
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Demonic possession and physical appearance Casual Discussion
I have read that if someone is possessed there are 4 signs that exorcists look out for. I also read that the possession is not “active” continually, that is that there are times when the possessed person can present as their normal self but then can change when the demon becomes “active” so to speak. My question is this, would the face of a person who was possessed reveal any signs that things were not quite right? Anything about the skin pallor? The eyes? Does anyone know? Thank you.
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People are surprised why I don’t want to draw nearer to Christ. I couldn’t even finish reading the book of Job.
 
A great way to grow in patience is if you get stuck in traffic right? Or if you are caring for a sick child. God “allows” situations like these to happen and they can all be opportunities to grow in holiness and virtue. The only way to grow in chastity is to be tempted by lust. It’s not God that does the tempting, but he allows the temptation. God allows the devil to tempt us but the temptation is not directly from God. That would be outside of Gods nature. I think haha.
 
I think people forget that this is such a huge privilege. To suffer for God and for souls is the most amazing favor God could give us on this earth. These saints suffered, but they could t really be harmed because they were in the state of grace. They earned infinite merit for heaven and so much for many souls. Remember when Our Lady told St. Bernadette that she didn’t promise her happiness on this life, but in the next. I think earthly happiness is not Our Lord’s priority. His priority is heaven, is salvation, and happiness that doesn’t end. It’s a matter of trusting Him.
 
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The only way to grow in any of the virtues, or to become a better person, is when we are tested in the virtues opposite. Yes it can be painful to self to have to not be self seeking. You have to want to do the right thing to be successful. The Saints asked to be as close to God as God would allow them. Sometimes this meant enduring physical and emotional suffering as Jesus also had to endure these same things. To truly become As close to Christ, they would ask to not be spared any sufferings. They would try to bear all their sufferings with patience and love.
 
Another way to understand it is that it’s easy to love when we are happy and not suffering. When we suffer or are sad, depressed etc… loving becomes very difficult. There isnt as much gained if we only ever love those who are easy to love. It’s when love is difficult, that it is amazing. When people can love in spite of their brokenness and in spite of their trials.
 
You know? I have found that I am closer to God and much more prayerful when I am sad, lonely, or hurt (eg. suffering) than when I haven’t a care in the world and everything is going my way.
 
I too find this is the same 🙂
It is an amazing grace that you have that.
 
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No 😃 you won’t! Do not be discouraged or do not let your heart be so troubled by these things. Remember, we are all on the road towards God and Heaven! Some days, I can’t handle much. Do not be discouraged if you don’t feel you can’t handle much either! God carries us to heaven! We just have to willing to say “ Ok Papa, carry me”
 
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Thanks for posting this. I’ve been going through some spiritual oppression lately so this may be related to that.
 
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