How does God move us and encourage us when we are growing in virtue? In this episode on part two of rule two and also rule three, we look at what spiritual consolation is and what the difference is with natural non-spiritual consolation and God-given spiritual consolation. We look at how to discern between the areas of awareness to cultivate peace and happiness and how to move with God and when it is Him moving or if it's the Enemy.

Resources:

• Fr. Timothy Gallagher “The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living” 


• St. Padre Pio: “The Spirit of God is a spirit of peace. Even in the most serious faults he makes us feel a sorrow that is tranquil, humble, and confident, and this is precisely because of his mercy. The spirit of the devil, instead, excites, exasperates, and makes us feel, in that very sorrow, anger against ourselves, whereas we should on the contrary be charitable with ourselves first and foremost. Therefore if any thought agitates you, this agitation never comes from God, who gives you peace, being the Spirit of Peace, but from the devil.”


• St. Augustine Book VIII of his autobiographical work, Confessions: It was as if the virtue of continence was saying to him, “Can you not do what these men and women do? Do you think they find the strength to do it in themselves and not in the Lord their God? … Why do you try to stand in your own strength and fail?...Cast yourself upon God and have no fear. He will not shrink away and let you fall. Cast yourself upon him without fear, for he will welcome you and cure you of your ills.”


• Ezra 9:8-9 


• Zechariah 2:5


• Job 22:21-23