Episode 19 -- Treatise on Peace of Soul c13.2 -- Seven Steps When Emotional Sweetness Vanishes

What is the best way to respond in times of interior trial and desolation?

In the second part of chapter 13 of A Treatise on Peace of Soul, Fr Scupoli instructs us in the proper way to respond when faced with temptations, afflictions, and interior desolation. In all these cases we no longer experience "emotional sweetness in devotion." Why does God allow us to enter into such states? They purify us and make us grow in holiness. Should we be disturbed when God leads us along this path? No. Should we attribute it to the devil? No. Instead, we should do seven simple things that we will discuss in this episode!

Last episode Fr Scupoli discussed the basic benefit that temptations bring to the soul. They take away the sin of presumption. There are two kinds of presumption.

1. Presumption firstly hopes for what it should not, such as forgiveness without repentance and heaven without good works.

2. The second kind of presumption leans too much on one"s own power. Such presumption acts as though something is possible to one"s own power that is not possible.

God allows us to be tried and to fall so that we will have excessive trust in our own powers taken away. God uses trials as a heavenly medicine. Through them he transforms us. He makes us humble.