“The devil rejoices above all when he succeeds in snatching joy from the heart of God’s servant.” (St. Francis).
A gloomy witness of our holy faith is unlikely to inspire others to embrace it more deeply. Even an overly euphoric witness will hold little appeal for those who are truly seeking God. However, a joyful heart that burns with love and gratitude toward God makes it easier to open a path to faith for others. Such a heart dwells in the joy that St. Francis speaks of in the above words and that St. Paul emphasizes: „Rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil 4,4) This joy provides the proper perspective on the beauty of the faith. In a sense, this joy in God is irresistible.
From this perspective, it becomes clear that the devil is determined to eradicate such a witness as much as possible. If he fails to tempt a person into sin, then he torments them with evil thoughts, unwarranted feelings of guilt, accusations of every kind, and intensifies feelings of sadness. In short, demons will stop at nothing to rob us of our joy in God—or at least try to diminish it!
What helps?
Having our lives in order before God helps, so that objectively speaking, nothing serious stands between us and the Lord. We must continually immerse ourselves in the love of our Father, who, if we are sincere, does not want the joy of Him to fade from our hearts. Focusing on God’s everlasting mercy, on His will, and on His generosity will help us leave thoughts of sorrow behind, embrace the joy of forgiveness for everything that might separate us from Him, and gain a deep receptivity to God’s presence. This, in turn, will bring us joy, and Satan will not be able to carry out his plans.