The cosmic struggle – and sensing the Lord’s perspective

As we proceed on the journey of spiritual and moral conversion, it becomes apparent that we are involved in a struggle between good and evil much bigger than ourselves. Of course, this struggle involves our eternal souls, but also the good that we might be able to do for others as our conversion process deepens. There are many signs of this struggle – being overwhelmed by temptations just as we are trying to improve our lives, overwhelmed by deceptions that we later discover were intended to make us lose
hope, and caught up in swings between self-righteousness on the one hand and feelings of overwhelming sinfulness on the other. When we look back on these initial stages of our journey, we can see in the extremes of these states another power or presence stoking and enhancing whatever proclivity we might have toward sinfulness or indolence in faith and prayer.

We might also discover inspirations toward love of God, gratitude, and wisdom, particularly the wisdom to know that despite our sinfulness, our job is not to save ourselves, but to stay on the path of salvation as best we can. We might also sense strong inspiration to participate more in the Church, build the kingdom of God according to the gifts we have been given, and be compassionate to those in need. We might look back on these inspirations too and think to ourselves, “Where did I get all this from? I am not that holy or spiritually wise.” Again, we might see another power or presence – this time a good one: the Holy Spirit – stoking and enlightening whatever proclivities we might have toward staying on the path, building the Kingdom, and making our little improvements in prayer and virtue. It might occur to us that we are right in the midst of a spiritual struggle between the Evil One and the Holy Spirit, and may ask, “Why am I so important? Why is the struggle focused on me? Surely there must have been someone more important for these supernatural forces to be focused on.” These questions point to a truth
– namely, that we are not the only ones in whom the struggle between good and evil is focused, because it is focused on everyone, particularly on those who are entering into spiritual and moral conversion and its path. ...

... Even though God is sometimes difficult to detect on our spiritual journey, we can know Him by His effects – inspiration beyond our capacity, guidance, and protection beyond natural coincidence (revealing His unseen providence), and ever- increasing strength and wisdom in the spiritual and moral life through perseverance and resilience.

Excerpt from Christ Versus Satan in Our Daily Lives: The Cosmic Struggle Between Good and Evil, by Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. (Ignatius Press, 2020), pp. 189-91. www.ignatius.com

ROBERT SPITZER, S.J., Ph.D., is the president of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith and the Spitzer Center. He was the president of Gonzaga University from 1998-2009 and is author of many books, including Healing the Culture, Finding True Happiness, Five Pillars of the Spiritual Life, The Light Shines On in the Darkness, The Soul’s Upward Yearning, and God So Loved the World.