Q&A Home > S > Spiritual Life

John of Kronstadt says, "When God is present in all of man's thoughts, in all of his desires, and in all of his intentions, through his words and through his acts, the kingdom of God has come upon him. Then man sees God everywhere in his holy thought, in his holy action, in the holy matter."

How can I go from feeling that way...God is always in my thoughts...to this sinful creature I am now? I don't understand why it is always a rollercoaster...I just want to stabilize, but not down low. I want to be back where I was.

God never said that our life on earth would be free from temptation. Life is a continuous struggle between good and evil. St. Paul says, "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish" (Gal 5:16-17).

Do not feel weak or discouraged when battling the devil; but remember that St. Paul warned us against this powerful enemy "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12). God showed us the way to resist and conquer this evil. Keep on praying and reading the word of God arming yourself against that enemy "Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Eph 6:16-18). The closer you are to God and His Word, the easier it would be for you to resist temptation and keep yourself godly. Examining yourself regularly and do not fall into hopelessness. Stand firm and be steadfast in holding onto God. As David the prophet says, "Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord" (Ps 31:24).