The obstacle of temptations

Because you were acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptation should test you (Tob 12:13, Vulgate). Do not forget that Christ is our model. For this reason, although he was God he let himself be tempted, so that we might take heart and be certain of attaining victory – with him. If your heart feels afraid at such times, speak to your God and tell him, Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing. Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled (Ps 6:3-4). It will be He who says to you, Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine (Is 43:1).

Confidence in the divine calling

Don’t be upset at knowing yourself as you are: just like that, made of clay. Do not worry, because you and I are children of God (and this is the good divinisation), chosen by a divine calling from all eternity: he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him (Eph 1:4). We, who belong to God in a special way and are his instruments in spite of our poor personal wretchedness, will be effective if we do not lose our humility and if we do not lose the awareness of our weakness. Our temptations give us the measure of our own weakness.