Put in the effort to conform to God’s will
Human beings have a remarkable capacity to desire two competing things at the same time and vacillate between decisions and actions that achieve both desires. For instance, I want to be as physically fit as possible, and yet I love Taco Bell. Some days the gym wins and other days the cheesy gordita crunch emerges victorious. Even when we know deep down we should want something or should have made a strong commitment to a particular outcome, we can struggle to consistently and faithfully pursue that goal.
Human beings have a remarkable capacity to desire two competing things at the same time and vacillate between decisions and actions that achieve both desires. For instance, I want to be as physically fit as possible, and yet I love Taco Bell. Some days the gym wins and other days the cheesy gordita crunch emerges victorious. Even when we know deep down we should want something or should have made a strong commitment to a particular outcome, we can struggle to consistently and faithfully pursue that goal.
This is why I’ve found few saint quotes more relatable or inspiring than this gem from St. Augustine: “Oh Lord, grant me chastity and self-control, but not yet.” His prayer is so raw and honest: “God I long to be holy, but I kind of wish my pet sins didn’t need to go away!” Even St. Paul acknowledges this tension in Romans, chp. 7, when he says: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate … For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want to do is what I do.” (15-19) The Church teaches that concupiscence, the inclination to sin, is one of the effects of original sin, and the sanctifying grace found in the sacraments strengthens us to overcome our base desires, grow in virtue and align our actions with our beliefs. It’s a battle to grow in faith and humble obedience to God’s will and not our own. Here are a couple of practice tips for winning this battle.
Go to confession more than you usually do.
In this sacrament, the bright light of God’s love shines into the dark places of our hearts, and Jesus’ love and mercy win. We leave cleaned and strengthened, having chosen to do the right thing even if our natural desires felt otherwise.
Ask Jesus for the grace to want to be holy.
Don’t just ask the Holy Spirit to make you holy, but ask God to give you the desire for a virtuous and heroically good life.
Even though it’s not Lent, consider some type of regular fasting.
Intentionally denying ourselves of things we want helps develop the good habit of our virtuous will winning over our fickle appetites.
St. Augustine was honest with God and eventually this great saint’s desires conformed to God’s will for his life. Our Father isn’t scandalized by our weakness, so don’t hesitate to tell him how you’re really feeling. Ask him to purify your deepest desires, and then joyfully cooperate with the grace he provides to not only do good but desire good, and occasionally a delicious soft taco supreme.
Pete Burak is the vice president of Renewal Ministries. He has a master’s degree in theology, and is a frequent speaker at events for youth and young adults.
