“Resolve each morning to avoid, combat, and overcome everything that is incompatible with the salvation of your soul and the glory of God.” (St. Francis de Sales)
This is the advice that St. Francis de Sales gives us for waging the spiritual battle earnestly. It is a decision of our will, a fundamental direction we take in order to walk the path of holiness.
This decision is important, even if we have not achieved everything by evening and have succumbed to certain weaknesses. As we discussed yesterday, we can turn to our Father with our weaknesses and limitations, knowing he will deal with them in love and patience. However, this is by no means at odds with taking up the struggle anew each day, especially after defeats, and never giving up.
Such a resolution puts our spiritual life in the right order and reminds us that we have been entrusted with this struggle. We cannot and should not shy away from it; rather, we must consciously engage in it. Edith Stein puts it in her own way, and we can adapt this well: “Let us begin a new life every day!”
On this path, we must pay close attention, and we should not neglect it. Any slackening weakens our soul’s resilience, while overcoming challenges the right way strengthens it. Over time, the soul becomes battle-hardened and finds it easier to heed the guidance of the Spirit, who leads it safely. This guidance can become so subtle that we can perceive the faintest hint when moving in the wrong direction and quickly identify the traps that seek to lead us astray from this vigilant path.