Episode 62 -- Spiritual Combat c38.1 -- Proper Means to Habitual Virtue

While I understand the need to accept passively difficult moments as chances for virtue, but do I need to be actively seeking opportunities to grow spiritually? Yes!

We saw in the last episode that we must not run from difficult people and irksome situations if we truly want to become a patient person. Fr. Scupoli speaks of habitual patience. He wants patience to be a HABIT, a constant READINESS to endure sadness for the sake of a greater good. Having the habit of patience, the VIRTUE of patience, is what makes someone a PATIENT PERSON. Most of us can be patience occasionally. But being patient at easy times is not the sign of HABITUAL PATIENCE.

IF we truly want to become like Christ, then we need to welcome the challenges God allows to enter our life. We cannot run and hide from the irksome events. Let us face our fears with the grace of the HOLY SPIRIT.

BUT REMEMBER — his advice in chapter 37 was not about matters of SEX. In the battle of purity, St Philip says, it is the cowards who win, those who flee. In other words, CHASTITY requires different tactics than PATIENCE.

We have to face our FEARS, not flee! But sexual desires, when at the wrong time, place, or with the wrong person need special treatment! Distraction! Fleeing! Not facing them. More on this later!

In this episode we look at the need to be ACTIVE in trying to look for opportunities to grow in virtue. Yes, we passively accept what God sends. But we must be “pro-active” as people say today.