fasting and failure

[hungrytiger]

. . . one must still remember that however limited our fasting, if it is true fasting it will lead to temptation, weakness, doubt, and irritation. In other terms, it will be a real fight and probably we shall fail many times. But the very discovery of Christian life as fight and effort is the essential aspect of fasting. A faith which has not overcome doubts and temptation is seldom a real faith. No progress in Christian life is possible, alas, without the bitter experience of failures. Too many people start fasting with enthusiasm and give up after the first failure. I would say that it is at this first failure that the real test comes. If after having failed and surrendered to our appetites and passions we start all over again and do not give up no matter how many times we fail, sooner or later our fasting will bear its spiritual fruits. Between holiness and disenchanted cynicism lies the great divine virtue of patience -- patience, first of all with ourselves. There is no short-cut to holiness; for every step we have to pay the full price.
I read this today and thought I'd share it with you here. Please forgive me if this is presumptuous of me.

[Hoankan]

I needed that given all that is and has been going on. Thank you.

[Kristos]

"There is no short-cut to holiness"

Amen to that.

[Chocolatesa]

Thanks :)

[Mary of Bethany]

Good quote, hungrytiger. I read a similar quote this morning talking about why the Fast is so important, relating it to the Fall. Adam and Eve fell because they tried for a shortcut to holiness, so to speak. Satan convinced them they could be like God just by eating the fruit, instead of walking with Him everyday.

Good stuff, and something my priest is constantly reminding us of: There is no shortcut, no easy way to know God, otherwise he (my priest) would have found it. :D

Mary

[Philothei]

Fasting brings about geat temptations.. oh yeah that is for sure... All other passions come on to you... and patience is not a virtue that I have aquired this fast... ... grrrrr...need a great effort to work on that and many others....

[Barky]

The devil is the greatest deceiver on this earth, and I am so easily fooled. Without going into details, I am a great sinner, Lord have mercy

[MsDahl]

That was actually an encouraging quote to post, hungrytiger.

Again I have failed in my fast and cursed. I am feeling so angry and disappointed with myself. I wish I can go into my heart and excavate the vulgarity that has been placed in there through my upbringing. It's disgusting to me :(

I chose to continue with my limited fast and ask for forgiveness ONCE AGAIN. Your post is very appropriate for me currently.

Thank you

[ExOrienteLux]

We've passed the mid-point of the Fast, so we should be expecting things to get harder from here on out. Still, it's something I definitely need to be reminded of very often.

"What do you do in that monastery, Father?"

"We fall down; we get back up. We fall down; we get back up...."

Forgive me, the sinner.

IC XC NIKA,
Philip.

[Dorothea]

Ah, thank you so much, hungrytiger, for that quote!!! It's both encouraging and comforting for me because I've been struggling along with the rest of you who have commented here. Ahh.....this quote was just what I needed. Thanks again!!!