Discernment is the level of faith which moves further beyond the experiences of Heavenly sweetness

Discerning is an action, which moves beyond the experiences. Experience of God's presence is a comfortable level of faith. Whereas discerning God's plan and purpose takes a life that follows His foot steps as he called the apostles to follow Him. Life of following Jesus Christ is the level of faith that courageously follow Him in all the situations of life. Whoever made choice to follow Jesus Christ has only one way of life that the life in which one carries one's own cross every day and follow Him.
Another aspect of this faith life is that there is no turning back in this track. The faith grows day by day and get strengthened by all the happenings in the life. The soul moves beyond the emotional experience( Heavenly sweetness) comes from God's presence and exercises the faith even without the heavenly sweetness experiences, which is called as a desert experiences by many saints. It is a weaning stage which is like a journey in a toiling boat. Toils and struggles indicate that God has trusted that person with those challenges. Higher the challenges the higher the purification and strength the soul gains. It is an uncomfortable stage,or some time it can be painful, or a constant nagging challenges stage, yet the soul determination keeps focus on praising and seeking God in this stage, because of the past experiences influences from the faithfulness of God. In this stage, the consolations are obtained via Church, Gospel, sacraments, and Eucharist. Jesus was led to the desert by the Holy Spirit after His baptism where he spent in fasting and prayers. This prayer indicates discernment and gaining strength to face the public ministry, which is a different level of preparation.This level of preparation is led by the presence of Holy Spirit.In this stage,God in His divine love, plans and makes many natural visits through the nature, human, and associations around the soul. He never leaves the soul alone there is constant Holy Spirit's presence around the person, the soul can recognize this and in some instances the people around the soul can also recognize this peace comes from the heavenly presence. However, the soul's attention is very often focused on the troubles it faces contain a masking effect on the vision of God presence nearby. Soul may fall many times during this stage as a stumbling toddler during the beginning of the walking stage, but it will rise again after each fall with renewed strength.This strength and determination has nothing to do with human will power, they are gifts and graces from Holy Spirit.

Being calm, continuing the routines, and keeping business as usual are the indicating signs of victory at this stage. These behaviors bring the defeat to the enemy. Existence is the victory more than success in this stage. Ignoring the constant troubles and trials that pose on the way is the spiritual maturity of this stage. "My husband when he counsel me he used to guide me to ignore some things and help me to refocus myself, as we share lots of spiritual materials with our day today dialogues. He often tells me never give a chance for the enemy to rejoice over how you feel.Keep the cheerful face all the time and the enemy ( Satan) will be ashamed" Gaining strength to seek and defend truth and justice are the spiritual outcomes, which will help to deliver the other human. Is this humanly possible? Yes it is possible with the guidance of Holy Spirit and Mother Church.

Annapoorna Mary, 2011

"Keep Watch With Me" Mother Church Series

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