So Day 2 of the challenge is complete and Day 3 of the purity novena. It is strange feeling as I do right now – thoughts of impurity and a desire to cross dress! I could blame doing the challenge but in truth I recognise what has really happened is I have been forced to acknowledge feelings that have been sitting with me for many months. So it was providential that I found myself reading today’s lesson and ‘relearning’ what I thought I had learn’t.
My Conclusion:
Matt Fradd really hits you between the eyes in this video. The biggest thing to take from today’s challenge is the knowledge that struggling is a positive action that allows us, with each success, to grow in virtues. Not just in overcoming impure desires but gaining in prudence, fortitude, etc…
It is crucial that the advice provided in this lesson becomes core to your daily approach. Ignoring tomorrow allows us to concentrate on decisions that we must make today – NOW. Never forget that it is easier to deny yourself ‘once’ – many times than to try and deny yourself ‘forever’…at once. If that makes sense?
I constantly remind all of the fellowship of the need to forget tomorrow exists – you can deal with it after another night’s sleep 🙂
I really like the idea of taking the positives from my daily struggles with impurity. Each morning when I wake up I thank God that he trusts me with such a cross. He knows how hard it will be for me and all he wants is for me to keep on making virtuous ‘small’ choices. To keep on carving a path toward sanctity. Failures make us so much stronger when we recognise and change the reasons for our falls.
Some of the small choices I made this morning:
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I chose to not open up E-bay and look for female clothing.
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I chose not to look out the car window and stare at some women in the street.
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I resisted the temptation to go on to You Tube and look at fashion models.
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I chose to complete the daily challenge and novena.
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I am choosing to write this blog whilst battling against impure thoughts telling me to sin.
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I am not thinking how hard it is going to be to make the same choices tomorrow.
How do you manage to stop looking at good looking women? That’s not a sin anyway. We were meant to find the opposite sex attractive. He even says that much in the challenge. Are you telling me I shouldn’t think about women!!
Hi Vianney, You are right that attraction is natural. However, where sexual addictions are involved these attractions can be better called lusts. In truth, only you can judge if it is a lustful look or just an admiring glance. If your attention is drawn because of a ‘particular attribute’ that may also be an indicator of unhealthy attraction. I’m sure a priest can advise you better 🙂