“So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall” – 1 Corinthians 10:12
Struggles and falls are part of life. When infants and learning to stand or walk, we fall more times than can be counted. But, with each fall, we learn balance and gain strength to stand again. Before long we are taking a few steps from table to dad. And, then, we are off and running.
As we learn to walk as Godly men and women, we will fall. The enemy cries out his horror at our fall, trying to shame us into not rising again. The Father stands back silently, arms outstretched, urging us to get up and try again. Rise and walk.
“Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’ At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk” – John 5:8-9
The devil tried to single out the soul to see its shame. He knows he can’t overcome the Church nor when 2 or 3 are gathered in the Name of Jesus. So, he works to shame the soul apart from all others. He singles out the sin as if no one else has ever done ‘that’ before. He works to make men to ashamed to come to the confessional with any sin. Like ‘those’ sins were invented by the soul – really?!?
“No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Father knows already. Turn instantly to Him and say you’re sorry. Ask for His Divine Mercy and the grace/strength to fight and win the battle next time. Reject, rebuke and renounce the demons of that sin or any you’re challenged with.
Once that is done, know the Father is pleased. Then, as soon as possible run to the Sacrament of Mercy. Reconciliation wipes away the sin, fills the soul with God’s Divine Mercy through the ministry of the Church and gives him the grace to fight and win in resolve to avoid neat occasions in the future.
The Father will never condemn the contrite soul. He will always work to help him rise from the fall to take another step. For each step forward brings the soul one step closer to God.