The Benefits of Temptations

Temptations are not evil and they may even be GOOD for us, IF we don’t say “yes” to them.  Now that Lent is here, we might be more aware of them than before.

If we are disturbed by the fact that we are confronted with so many temptations, it may be for one of these reasons (according to Fr. Hamon):

1.  Our self-love is annoyed at seeing ourselves so miserable.

2. We have a lack of confidence in God, who never fails us.

3. We are cowardly, imagining we are alone in our weakness, without help.

**ADVANTAGES of temptations:**

1. They give us an **opportunity to glorify God** by proving our fidelity and combating His enemies.

2. They **exercise us in humility**, by revealing the evil which exists in us.

3. They **drive us to prayer**, feeling the need of having recourse to God.

4. We become **more vigilant**, by warning us to mistrust our own strength and flee from occasions of evil.

5. They **show us the love of God**, in His willingness to lower Himself and His help to such unworthy creatures.

6. They keep us from becoming lazy and **awaken fervor**, building strong character (2 Cor 12:9)

7. They teach us to **know ourselves.** (Eccl 34:9)

8. They give us an opportunity to **acquire more graces** in this world and **glory in the next**. “God hath tried them and found them worthy of Himself.” (Wis. 3:5)  God told Israel “I would not destroy them from your face, that you may have enemies” (judges 2:3), and Pope Leo also said, “It is well for the soul to be afraid of falling, and to have a battle constantly to wage.” (Serm. 3)

9. They give an opportunity to **tend towards perfection in the contrary virtue**.

10. Mental temptations help us to **take refuge in our nothingness**.

11. Temptations to pleasure help us to **love to embrace the cross**.

With this different perspective, perhaps we will now pray, “Lord, thank you for the opportunity offered me in this temptation.  Please give me the grace to do well.” and then “offer it up.”

To a fruitful Lent!