CLAIMING THE PRIZE
Rosemary Joy explains how we can overcome the struggles in our daily lives and become more loving.
STRUGGLING
I don’t know about you but I am constantly struggling to try and do the right thing. I want to please God and be loving and kind but it doesn’t always work out that way. I wonder why I am like this. The Bible says, “ Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”(James 1:12) I want to love Him and to receive the promised crown of life but how do I fight against temptations? The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “Temptation is an attraction, either from outside oneself or from within, to act contrary to right reason and the commandment of God.” This is saying that we can be tempted by outside influences such as our friends, or by the desires we ourselves have, to do things that are not good for us.
RESISTING TEMPTATIONS
Temptations are presented to us in attractive ways that can really test our will power. We usually know that if we give in to temptations then we will not be doing God’s will, but the desire within us can be so strong that it seems as if there is no way that we can overcome it. It is not a sin to be tempted, even our Lord was tempted! It is only a sin when we give in, rather than conquer this temptation. Resisting temptation is easier said than done. The enemy will attack us in our weakest areas, where we struggle the most. But, we must not despair, because as children of God we are strong enough to withstand any opposition. 1 John 4:4 says, “You belong to God, and you have conquered them, for the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
OUR HELPER
It is impossible to overcome temptation on our own as our human nature is too weak. God knows this. That’s why He has given us the Spirit of the One who conquered the world! Yes, the Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, can and will fight for us! He is our Helper, our Strength and our Warrior. The Grace of God given to us by the Holy Spirit is all we need to overcome any temptation. God tells us in 2 Corinthians 12:8, “My Grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” In fact when we recognise our weakness to sin and temptation and ask for His help, the power of God will be manifested all the more powerfully in us. Let us ask the Holy Spirit right now, at this moment to pour out His Grace upon us so that we will be able to recognise the tactics of the devil and overcome the desires that could lead us to sin and turn away from our loving Father. When we ask for His help the Holy Spirit will come to our aid without delay. All we need to say is “Lord, I need your Grace.”
THE ULTIMATE PRIZE
St Paul said, “I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) Let us not grow tired in our spiritual journey. Let us keep fighting, pressing onwards and keeping our eyes on the goal. Each one of us is called to claim the prize that is beyond compare, a reward that will infinitely exceed all that we could ever imagine. “No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) The most wonderful free gift is to spend all eternity with God in Heaven, the perfect place where there is limitless joy and not even the slightest sorrow. Is it worth losing this for the momentary pleasures that are here today and gone tomorrow?
“Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9
