What's Holding You Back?

 

I came cross a quote by St. Bernard of Clairvaux that addressed the issue of people who cannot seem to get to a place of faith.

He asked a lot of questions that got me to thinking about WHY, indeed, don't you believe in God. You must have your reasons, but maybe you should dig a little deeper as to what they are.

Bernard wondered (and answered) these questions. Are they relevant to you today? Maybe you can make your own list of questions.

What are you afraid of, that he (God) will not pardon your sins?

Are you used to soft living?

Are you bound like a chain because of your habit of sin?

Are you angry because how big and frequent your sins are and how slow God is in helping you?

Are you unwilling to give up your possessions?

In answering these questions, Bernard offered a remedy for each one:

Jesus died on the cross for our sins. He forgives us.

Jesus knows our weaknesses.

He frees prisoners from what binds them, he can loosen our chain of sin.

Where sin abounds, God gives us grace.

God knows all that we need. What more could we want?

And his final question, which should make anyone sitting on the fence  really stop and think:

"What else is there to hold you back from the way of salvation?"

Have you told yourself an untruth about God or the Church, or you are holding on to something you need to work through and set aside? Explore the reasons you have been holding so tight to your contrary thoughts.

This journey will lead you to God, but if for some reason you remain in your stubbornness, you can always continue in your unbelief. 

But why would you?

Janet Cassidy
Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com

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