Let me add some further remarks on the subject of temptations. Endeavour to remain re-collected, and in a spirit of patience, when the temptation is upon you. In your patience you shall possess your souls. The Devil gains advantage, if he can disturb our peace. Your heavenly Father is present with you, permitting the temptation for His own glory, and your spiritual good, and He will not let it go further than He sees needful for these great objects. Let the recollection of this exclude disquieting thoughts. Exercise faith in your Lord and Saviour, for truly this is the great secret of a Christian power. Saint Paul found it so, when suffering from the sting in the flesh, or the messenger of Satan; so that he says: When I am weak, then I am powerful; and Saint Jude speaks of God as able to preserve us without sin. Having learned to live by faith, which to many is a new, and to very many it must be feared a hidden way of life, the prayer of a true Christian goes up to the Throne of God rapidly, so as to meet and confront the temptation as soon as it is presented to the mind. The prayer of a true and living faith is a mighty prayer: it has power with the Omnipotent God: it touches the heart of Infinite Love: it brings upon the soul the shield and covering of a present Redeemer and Sanctifies the God-Man Jesus Christ. Temptation is a profitable trial of the Christian life, suited to purify and strengthen the work of grace in us: seeming not to bring with it joy, but sorrow, but afterwards yielding to them who are exercised by it the most peaceful fruits of justice. Our dear Lord learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and He suffered, being tempted. Be content thus to bear His cross.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp