JCPhoenix:
It is hard to follow those daily inspirations from God, and no, he does not punish us because we are sidetracked and fail. We ARE on a journey and we stumble. God just picks us up and moves us on. It is our free will option to keep going forward and walk with Him on the path to sainthood where he ultimately wants us.
In the same vein, here’s a bit of Scripture concerning our first Pope. Remember that Jesus chose this man, Peter, to give to him the keys of the kingdom and to lead His flock here on earth. God does great things with us lowly humans, flawed as we are. He knows that we love Him, and He does not expect us to be perfect. He expects us to keep trying and to keep striving for holiness.
**Then Jesus said to them, “This night all of you will have your faith in me shaken, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be dispersed’; but after I have been raised up, I shall go before you to Galilee.” **
**Peter said to him in reply, “Though all may have their faith in you shaken, mine will never be.” **
Jesus said to him, "Amen, I say to you, this very night before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
Peter said to him, “Even though I should have to die with you, I will not deny you.” And all the disciples spoke likewise.
**Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” **
**As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” **
**A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. **
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly. (Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75)