Part 4, Chapter 11
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This is a painting of Martha and Mary. |
A mind is a terrible thing to waste. Using drugs unnecessarily, alcohol and anything that would wreck our minds is something that must be avoided. Our body and mind is a temple of the Holy Spirit and so it shall be treated as the gift that it is. Too often though, it is not drugs, alcohol or some other substance that we mess up our mind with, rather it is anxiety of the mind. Anxiety leaves causes us to have a lack of trust in the Lord and it keeps our mind playing the same things over and over again. “This unresting anxiety is the greatest evil that can happen to the soul, sin only excepted…if our heart be disturbed and anxious, it loses power to retain such graces as it has, as well as strength to resist the temptations of the Evil One” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 172). Wow, that is bold from St. Francis De Sales, but he is right. Anxiety does not lead to peace, it does not solve anything, it keeps us stirred up, it opens us to many temptations and it keeps us from the devout life. “Anxiety of mind is not so much an abstract temptation, as the source whence various temptations arise” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 172). This is a chink in our armor that leads to problems; it is a source of problems for us. Knowing this, we can deal with it in love.
Why do we have anxiety? (Remember, I am not a psychologist, I am a priest reflecting on Introduction to the Devout Life) “Anxiety arises from an unregulated desire to be delivered from any pressing evil, or to obtain some hoped-for good. Nevertheless nothing tends so greatly to enhance the one or inhibit the other as [over eagerness] and anxiety” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 173). Anxiety is being worried about things that many times are out of our control. It is placing ourselves in a future that may never be.
How do we deal with anxiety? “If anyone strives to be delivered from his troubles out of love of God, he will strive patiently, gently, humbly and calmly, looking for deliverance rater to God’s goodness and providence than to his own industry or efforts” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 172). Freedom from anxiety, temptation, and sin, as in all cases, comes from the Lord. It is only He who can free us from anxiety. (Sometimes that means seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist to get some help, but God made them and is working in and through them). Still, I find that the best remedy is bringing our anxiety to God. One thing that I like to try to pray daily is the Abandonment Rosary (It is at the bottom of this blog page today). It reminds me that God is in charge and I am not. “Examine yourself often, at least night and morning, as to whether your soul is ‘in your hand’; or whether it has been wrested thence by any passionate or anxious emotion” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 173). By being in our hands, St. Francis De Sales truly means in the hand of God, but that we are resting in His Divine Love and care; that we are placing all of our needs, anxieties, and worries in His hand.
If when we make this examination we find that we are anxious, bring it God right away. “And if it has so strayed, before all else seek it out, and quietly bring it back to the presence of God, once more placing all your hopes and affections under the direction of his holy will” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 173). We are never alone in this; God is here to help us. Like in temptation, smaller anxieties when not dealt with lead to greater anxieties, so that means that we should deal with the small so that they don’t become big. God wants to free us from anxiety. Another prayer I like to say is The Chaplet of Divine Mercy, at the end of it many say “Jesus, I trust in you!” Keep saying this daily. Remember these words from a song too, “only in God is my soul at rest, in Him is my salvation.” When it comes down to it, rest in God and trust in Him.
Abandonment Rosary
By Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo
God come to my assistance
Lord make haste to help me. Glory be. Our Father.
Hail Mary.
1st Decade: Jesus, You take over!
(10 times on the beads of the Hail Mary). Glory be.
2nd Decade: Mother Mary, guide me.
(10 times on the beads of the Hail Mary). Glory be.
3rd Decade: Jesus you take over!
(10 times on the beads of the Hail Mary). Glory be.
4th Decade: Mother Mary, guide me.
(10 times on the beads of the Hail Mary). Glory be.
5th Decade: Jesus, you take over!
(10 times on the beads of the Hail Mary ). Glory be.
In conclusion:
Hail Holy Queen