Welcome back to the Own Your Revival Podcast!

Join me as I address the crosses we carry in the waiting times in our life – for the judge to rule, for the annulment to be (hopefully) granted, for the tests to come back, for the next wave of job losses to be announced – these can feel heavy and foreboding.  There is inspiration and hope to be drawn from the story and writings of Saint Ignatius of Loyola for us in these places.  His teachings on discernment of spirits and the importance of recognizing the internal movements leading us either towards or away from God are powerful tools we can use to wait well.  Today I hone in on the one rule (of his 14 on discernment of spirits) that is certain to bring light to discerning the right action….especially when the future feels dark and foreboding.  By being aware of our interior life and understanding the influence of both the good and bad spirits, we can choose to reject negative thoughts and continue taking the next right steps in our lives. I hope this episode empowers you to trust in God's plan, to use periods of waiting as opportunities for growth and sanctification, and to find peace in the present moment. If this message resonates with you, please share it with a friend or on social media, and join me in this journey of faith and personal revival.

xoxo

Andy

00:00:26 - The Challenge of Waiting
00:00:48 - Personal Growth in Patience
00:01:20 - Heavy Crosses of Waiting
00:03:51 - A Light in the Dark: Lord of the Rings Analogy
00:05:42 - Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Teachings
00:06:46 - Saint Ignatius' Conversion Story
00:08:57 - Interior Movements and Spiritual Warfare
00:09:54 - The Spiritual Exercises and Discernment of Spirits
00:11:32 - Rule Five: No Changes in Desolation
00:14:10 - Desolation and Consolation Explained
00:16:00 - Personal Application of Rule Five
00:18:45 - Obedience in Desolation
00:20:14 - Non-Spiritual Desolation
00:22:10 - Taking the Next Right Step
00:23:58 - Trusting God in the Present
00:25:47 - Praying for Needs and Releasing to God's Will
00:27:13 - Awareness and Understanding of Interior Movements
00:29:19 - Waiting Well with God

Mentioned in this episode:

Lord of the Rings movie (Frodo and Galadriele)

 Introduction to Discernment of Spirits

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyala (book)

5th Rule of Discernment of Spirits:

"The fifth: In time of desolation never to make a change; but to be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which he was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation it is rather the good spirit who guides and counsels us, so in desolation it is the bad, with whose counsels we cannot take a course to decide rightly.”

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