Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

The Lord Is Watching Over Your Struggle

stseraphim_webThere was another brother fiercely attacked by a spirit of fornication who got up in the middle of the night in order to go and confess his temptations to a certain holy old man who had a reputation of great wisdom. When the old man had heard him he gave him some spiritual advice on the virtue of patience, quoting the words of Scripture ‘Be strong and let your heart be comforted, all you who hope in the Lord’ (Psalms 27.14).

The brother went back to his cell where he was immediately attacked again, so he hurried off once more to the holy man. The old man again encouraged him to persevere, and said to him, “Believe me, my son, the Lord Jesus Christ is able to send you all the help from heaven above in order for you to overcome this passion.”

Encouraged by the old man’s words he returned to his cell, where again the battle began to rage in his heart. He went back again to the old man and begged him to pray more fervently for him. The old man said to him, “Don’t be frightened or relax your efforts, and don’t keep your thoughts to yourself. This is the way to confuse the unclean spirit and make him depart. For nothing weakens the power of the demons so much as revealing the hidden unclean thoughts to the blessed and holy fathers. Be strong, brother, let your heart be comforted, trust in the Lord. The harder the fight, the more glorious the crown. Moreover the holy prophet Isaiah said, ‘Is the hand of the Lord unable to save you, or are his ears plugged that he cannot hear you?’ (Isaiah 59.1). Remember, brother, that the Lord is watching over your struggle and is preparing for you an eternal crown even as you are resisting the devil. The Scripture warns us that it is only through many tribulations that we can enter eternal life” (Acts.14.22).

As the brother listened his heart was strengthened in the Lord, and he remained with the old man, deciding against returning to his cell.

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