Let me first say, that if you are struggling with doubt in your faith, or a form of guilt, or any of dozens of other spiritual issues many people deal with, you are not alone. I realize this statement solves nothing for you, but it is important to understand that there has only been one perfect person, totally free of sin and its allies. Of course, that is Jesus Christ. We will never be free of sin or of those who bring it upon us in some form in this life. So, what are we to do?
Paul speaks of a “thorn in my flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12:7. He attributes it to Satan and is perplexed that despite his prayers, God has not removed this thorn. God has a simple response to Paul in verses 8-10, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Most of us are not as strong as St. Paul, and I haven’t the courage to “delight” in the experiences Paul references in these verses. However, there is hope and spiritual comfort in accepting this lesson from Paul.
Again, what are we to do? First, never give up; never give in to the sin that seeks to destroy you, to take your faith away from you and leave you hopeless. If that darkness is on your doorstep, know that God is present with you, and that there is nothing more powerful! Rather than see the darkness approaching, see the light and power of a loving God in your presence. He may not remove your sin in this lifetime, but he surrounds you with his grace and as He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in your weakness.”
Seek support from your clergy, from Christian friends and if needed, from a medical professional. Stay strong in prayer. God is with you.
Redoubtable – a poem of hope
Ronald Whetsell's Creative Writing and Poetry Blog 