Spiritual Combat

[annie17on12]

Recently, I have been experiencing intense spiritual combat. It was only about two weeks ago I started saying my rosary again.I had stopped saying it for a while because of a painfully dry period in my spiritual life. However, Since I started saying my rosary again, I have been insulted often for my faith and just a few days ago I was told by a pro-abortion individual that “I heard Iraq would love to have you”. On top of that I feel a negative presence at times and then this morning I was overcome by so much fear about what God might be calling me to that I broke down crying. But, when I am at peace I know, and I do not fear what he is calling me to. Overall, I have felt my relationship with God deepening faster than ever. I also upped my rosaries to two a day. I also spend time reading the bible, and going to mass when I can during the week, but always every Sunday. Is it a proper assessment to say that the devil has been attacking me more lately because I am growing closer to God and not afraid to spread the truth? It makes me nervous to continue to deepen my relationship with God because of the spiritual attack… But I am sure that is what Satan wants. I guess I am just in need of prayers right now. I am on the right path and God is leading me and I have completely surrendered to God and thus, Satan is mad.

 

[St_Francis]

We can be tempted by the enemy, but also by our own selves and by the world. I want to eat way more on a fast day than I do normally.

A good book for spiritual combat is *Spiritual Combat *by Dom Scupoli. It can be found online or in books; TAN I know publishes it. CCEL used to have an audio version; I don’t k know if it’s still available.

The most important things, he says, are to rely on God and to resume the fight after a fall.

 

[ready]

You will be in my prayers. Persevere!

 

[janiruchan]

Recently, I have been experiencing intense spiritual combat. It was only about two weeks ago I started saying my rosary again.I had stopped saying it for a while because of a painfully dry period in my spiritual life. However, Since I started saying my rosary again, I have been insulted often for my faith and just a few days ago I was told by a pro-abortion individual that “I heard Iraq would love to have you”. On top of that I feel a negative presence at times and then this morning I was overcome by so much fear about what God might be calling me to that I broke down crying. But, when I am at peace I know, and I do not fear what he is calling me to. Overall, I have felt my relationship with God deepening faster than ever. I also upped my rosaries to two a day. I also spend time reading the bible, and going to mass when I can during the week, but always every Sunday. Is it a proper assessment to say that the devil has been attacking me more lately because I am growing closer to God and not afraid to spread the truth? It makes me nervous to continue to deepen my relationship with God because of the spiritual attack… But I am sure that is what Satan wants. I guess I am just in need of prayers right now. I am on the right path and God is leading me and I have completely surrendered to God and thus, Satan is mad.

yes. The devil is behind all of this but perhaps you may also be nurturing the anxieties…You are perhaps a highly spiritual person…but your trials will test you and make you make you more mature so rejoice and be glad…God is also calling us to overcome the world, not just through prayers and the sacraments but also living with the world as it really is.

I used to have that ascetic mentality.I go to mass, read the gospel everyday, confession, spiritual reading, corporal/spiritual works of mercy name them…but I didn’t know that I was still immature in faith until God sent me forth trials which tested my spirituality in many tough and seemingly godless situations/givens in my life.

You are a devout soul so keep it up…I would admit that I am greatly tempted to think about myself during these spiritual attacks…but Rick Warrens advices us “It’s not about you”…when you are attacked “it’s not about you”…“it’s really not about you”…so stop obsessing about the devil or the attack. You will have more of that. So instead of focusing on the devil or the attack, focus on Jesus. Because if you focus on your attack–you’ll end focusing on yourself. If you focus on the devil–you’ll end up fearing. IF you focus on Jesus–you know He is the way. Offer your suffering to God…and see a spiritual director as much as you can. This may be a purely psychological issue or a spiritual one.

May God enlighten you!

 

[E_7]

I don’t recall the life of a saint without being attacked by demons or the devil himself.

Truth is that the more close you are to God, the more the devil hates it (not because it is you, but its more like he wants to take away God’s people into hell).

The devil could stop attacking you like this if he sees you are far away from God, a lost case, a person attached to earthly pleasure. But have in mind that he has no power over you, and he is not the opposite of God, but he is opposite of St. Michael.

Keep up the battle. You are safe as long as you keep participating in the sacraments. Good habits are virtues, bad habits are vices. I encourage you to watch the movie Padre Pio- Miracle Man.