DOUBTING GOD’S MERCY

Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) wrote, “Now be also on your guard, daughters, against some types of humility given by the devil in which great disquiet is felt about the gravity of our sins. This disturbance can afflict in many ways even to the point of making one give up receiving Communion and practicing private prayer. These things are given up because the devil makes one feel unworthy… the situation gets so bad that the soul thinks God has abandoned it because of what it is; it almost doubts God’s mercy.”

The only remedy, Teresa tells us, is to “stop thinking about your misery insofar as possible, and turn your thoughts to the mercy of God, to how God loves us and suffered for us.”

The devil can go to hell. Live in mercy…not condemnation.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” Jesus