Spiritual Warfare

[kcp]

As I was lamenting my lot in life recently, a revelation came to me. Let me give the background of my circumstance, not to complain but to explain. It has been over a year since my income has dropped dramatically. All my attempts to resolve and improve our situation have failed. I and others who have analyzed my situation have no answer to why my business is suffering, I am doing everything right. However, I am no longer able to pay current bills, back bills, I have creditors harassing me day and night wanting money we don’t have. Friends and colleagues have left me, turned their back on me. Some have even slandered me making my situation worse. My health is now degrading, but I can’t afford treatment since we lost our medical insurance. I have been fighting everyday against bankruptcy, one of my few remaining employees have now quit. Over the course of this time, I have prayed, repeated novenas to the saints, have done 54 day novenas. I have asked others to pray for me. It seems to fall on deaf ears.

Recently, I was listening to Catholic Answers, and Trent Horn was talking about the strange difficulties he had in releasing his latest book. He said it was like there was spiritual warfare going on to keep the book from coming out. That is when I realized, that looking back, I made a firm commitment to the Lord and as I come closer and closer to God and his will, my personal life has become worse and worse. It seems like the evil one is conducting a strong campaign of spiritual warfare against our family attempting to get us to become despondant and fall into despair. At times, in moments of weakness, I have and lamented to God why are all my prayers unanswered?

However, the strong realization that the devil is real and really does hate me and hates humanity and has the power to oppress my life makes me only realize that God is real(if the devil is real and is a creation then God must be the creator), Jesus died for us out of love for us and he will save us. All these darts and arrows that the evil one is casting into our lives only draws me closer to God.

There is a reason for the pain. It is through the fire of my pain that my soul is being forged for the better. At some point, it will end one way or the other.

What is happening now can be compared to a splinter in my finger compared to what joy awaits us at the end. I realized that I have to be patient and let God form me according to his will, which is love and mercy itself.

To all who are suffering financially or who have physical ailments or mental suffering seeming for no reason, I urge you to stay strong in the faith and do not let the evil one be successful in his desire to have you fall into despair and loss of faith. I know how it will end for us in the long run if we remain faithful to the end.

I do continue to ask this community for prayers and strength during my family’s suffering.
Thank you.

 

[tawny]

Praying for your intentions.

 

[USMC_Convert]

Not saying this is the answer, nor do I know how to help you and I am in no position to offer any type of business advice but your situation reminded me of a book I once read, can’t remember the name of it for the life of me but here is the basic idea of this part of it.

Two men were both involved in the same business, they both were very good at their craft but one did very well and was successful while the other constantly had failure after failure. After years of suffering and misfortune he asked the successful business owner what his secret was. The man simply said, I go to Mass everyday. So wanting to put his business in the hands of God and desperately needing some sort of solution he started going to Mass everyday. His business started to improve and he became very successful.

The power of the Mass is completely unfathomable to us. St John Vianney once said that it would be easier for the earth to survive without the sun than without the sacrifice of the Mass.

I am also reminded to tell you about the power of the souls in purgatory. Not that they have any power of themselves, but they hold a special place in Gods heart and cry out constantly, without end, for those who help them. Many miracles monetary, and otherwise have been obtained by the Holy Souls in Purgatory for those who offer Masses and prayers for their assistance.

If I were in your situation I would go to Mass everyday and offer as many Masses and prayers (rosaries and the like) as I could for the Holy Souls in Purgatory begging them to intercede for you before the throne of God.

Finally you must have faith that you are exactly where God wants you to be. God has a plan, and if we believe that then we have to believe that wherever we are, whatever is happening is fulfilling God’s plan. I have been laid up on a couch for 3 days now, I cannot move, I’m 35, a retired Marine and I should be extremely active, but I cannot move. It is part of God’s plan, I have no idea why, but I know that whatever I am suffering it is part of God’s plan, He can use this for some good. Believe and trust in God’s plan, turn everything over to Him. Offer your sufferings up to God and ask them to be joined with those of Christ, for His will, never yours, ask that His will be done.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Thank you for your testament kcp, I see myself in your tale. I agree, remaining strong in faith and not losing hope helps a great deal.

My Lord Jesus, lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.

Our Father…Hail Mary x10
Glory Be…Fatima Prayer
Amen!

 

[ChibiViolet]

Praying…

 

[kcp]

Thanks USMC Convert,

Daily mass, would be awesome. I say this almost daily, the devil loves to steal time. It seems there are constant fires to put out, situations or problems you thought were resolved you have to go back and fix. I’m up at 5 and home by 7-8 per night, daily mass “right now”
is not an option. I wish it were.

I offer up my suffering everyday. I try to mix it up for those in the same situation, for the lukewarm, for souls in purgatory, etc.

I’ll pray for your recovery.

Thanks

 

[Irishmom2]

Daily mass, would be awesome. I say this almost daily, the devil loves to steal time. It seems there are constant fires to put out, situations or problems you thought were resolved you have to go back and fix. I’m up at 5 and home by 7-8 per night, daily mass “right now”
is not an option.

With all due respect, yes, it is an option. Instead of letting the devil steal your time, don’t allow it. The fires, situations or problems will always be there. Make time for mass. It will help you in ways you cannot imagine. Work your business around the need for mass. And know that in many cases, daily weekday mass is much shorter than Sunday mass.

Just try it. Try it one extra day of the week. Pretty soon, you will want to add more days. You will desire it.

 

[Josie33]

Recently, I was listening to Catholic Answers, and Trent Horn was talking about the strange difficulties he had in releasing his latest book. He said it was like there was spiritual warfare going on to keep the book from coming out. That is when I realized, that looking back,** I made a firm commitment to the Lord and as I come closer and closer to God and his will, my personal life has become worse and worse.** It seems like the evil one is conducting a strong campaign of spiritual warfare against our family attempting to get us to become despondant and fall into despair. At times, in moments of weakness, I have and lamented to God why are all my prayers unanswered?

I see, perhaps God is allowing Satan to test your commitment to Him. Your post reminds me of the Book of Job. Remember however, “God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

I would suggest daily Mass, praying the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet daily, and frequent Adoration. Perhaps there’s a perpetual Adoration chapel in your area. In times of trial we need all the grace that we can get. And I know it may seem like your prayers have had no effect, but as bad as things are now, imagine how much worse they would be if you were not praying?

Also, if you are not already receiving spiritual direction, it may be a good idea to seek the advice of a good spiritual director.

You might want to check out some of Fr. Ripperger’s talks. He’s an exorcist from the diocese of Tulsa, OK. In one of his talks, he mentioned that demons can oppress our finances. He provided an example of a woman he encountered whose finances were being severely oppressed and offered advice as to what to do. It may have been this video, but I’m not entirely positive.

Stay strong, it may not seem like it, but Jesus is on your side. It is often through trials and suffering that God grows us spiritually. How much we grow greatly depends upon our level of trust. It appears that like Peter, Jesus is calling you out upon the water. As hard as it may be, you have to step out of the boat and draw near Him, never losing sight of Him, while (the hardest part) trusting in Him. (Matthew 14:22-33)

God bless you

 

[kcp]

You might want to check out some of Fr. Ripperger's talks. He's an exorcist from the diocese of Tulsa:

video

, but I’m not entirely positive.

I checked this out. Everyone in spiritual warfare with demonic influence should check that video out. I found a link on battling demonic influence, these prayers may be powerful:

sentrad.org/texts-online/