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Day Seven: Courage to Face Challenges

We are dreaming if we think we will never face challenges, and naïve if we think that when we do face them we can always resolve them on our own.

Sometimes people cannot resolve certain issues alone. Destructive feelings can be strong enough to wipe out the trust necessary for openness, or people can be so defensive that the discussion goes around in circles with no one willing to listen or give. This is a time to get help and a new perspective. Moses could not hold his hands toward heaven alone. He had to have help from Aaron and Hur.

There are challenges and battles that arise in relationships. If you face them openly and constructively as soon as they surface, anger and resentment won’t have the chance to build and destroy the relationship. When we are in these places of struggle and conflict, we can remember that we have spiritual community and people who are there to support us on the journey. These people can help us to look toward the ideals we believe in, keeping our hands upward toward heaven. By asking for help from the Lord, we will form the patience, trust, and skill to win the battle. We must ask for help from the Lord with support from our spiritual community to overcome these battles. And we have a responsibility to offer help and support to others as they face challenges on their spiritual walk.

The people who believe when they are tempted that they have strength of their own with which they can offer resistance go under. The reason for this is that they are subject to a falsity that leads them to ascribe merit to themselves; and in doing this they claim that they accomplished their salvation, in which case they shut out influx from the Divine. But the people who believe that the Lord alone offers resistance in temptations is victorious, for they are guided by the truth and ascribe merit to the Lord; and they perceive that their salvation is accomplished by the Lord alone. The people whose faith is bonded to charity ascribe salvation wholly to the Lord and not at all to themselves. Secrets of Heaven 8172

Key Point
We need to work to overcome our battles, but perhaps more important is acknowledging that it is the Lord who does the real work in fighting against the hells.

Offering and Accepting Help
Today, how did I offer help?
Today, how did I accept help?

Reflection
The first time you ask for help is often the hardest. Write out a request for help (for example: "My finances have become overwhelming, and I need help getting organized"). Set an intention to share this need with someone this week.

Download this Reflection in printable form. (PDF)

Discussion Board
Share your thoughts on today's Journey in the discussion board.

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