Inordinate Affections

[ChristianCatholic]

"Whensoever a man desires any thing inordinately, he is presently disquieted within himself. The proud and covetous are nevery easy. The poor and humble of spirit live in much peace. The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself, is soon tempted and overcome with small and trifling things.

He that is weak in spirit, and in a manner yet carnal and inclined to sensible things, can hardly withdraw himself wholly from earthly desires.

And therefore he is often sad, when he withdraws himself from them, and is easily moved to anger if anyone thwarts him.

2. And if he has pursued his inclination, he is immediately tormented with the guilty of his conscience, because he has followed his passion, which helps him not at all toward the peace he sought for.

It is then by resisting our passions, that we are to find true peace of heart, and not by being slaves to them. There is no peace, therefore, in the heart of a carnal man, no in a man that is addicted to outward things; but only in a fervent spiritual man."

from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

[Shin]

This is so true and I know it so well!

So many things we easily become inordinately attached to! It could be said as one of the most fundamental goals of the spiritual life to simply not be, period, about everything!

And how many problems it causes!

All I have to do is spend a few hours doing something useless instead of something useful for Heaven, and how much it displeases God!

God help me to please Him and to do what He wishes always! 

[Bailey2]

"Whensoever a man desires any thing inordinately, he is presently disquieted within himself. The proud and covetous are nevery easy. The poor and humble of spirit live in much peace. The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself, is soon tempted and overcome with small and trifling things.

He that is weak in spirit, and in a manner yet carnal and inclined to sensible things, can hardly withdraw himself wholly from earthly desires.

And therefore he is often sad, when he withdraws himself from them, and is easily moved to anger if anyone thwarts him.

2. And if he has pursued his inclination, he is immediately tormented with the guilty of his conscience, because he has followed his passion, which helps him not at all toward the peace he sought for.

It is then by resisting our passions, that we are to find true peace of heart, and not by being slaves to them. There is no peace, therefore, in the heart of a carnal man, no in a man that is addicted to outward things; but only in a fervent spiritual man."

from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

I can really relate to this right now!  I'd write too long a post to explain........ so.............
I think also since we are all carnal and spiritual at the same time (the soul is infused into the body at conception and not separated till death), these sorts of struggles are with us in various forms for the rest of our lives.  I do find however, that for me peace comes when I don't resist too much about going in a direction that is beyond my comfort zone..... and I have some deep, deep, deep comfort zones and hate, hate, hate change!

[Shin]

"Whensoever a man desires any thing inordinately, he is presently disquieted within himself. The proud and covetous are nevery easy. The poor and humble of spirit live in much peace. The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself, is soon tempted and overcome with small and trifling things.

He that is weak in spirit, and in a manner yet carnal and inclined to sensible things, can hardly withdraw himself wholly from earthly desires.

And therefore he is often sad, when he withdraws himself from them, and is easily moved to anger if anyone thwarts him.

2. And if he has pursued his inclination, he is immediately tormented with the guilty of his conscience, because he has followed his passion, which helps him not at all toward the peace he sought for.

It is then by resisting our passions, that we are to find true peace of heart, and not by being slaves to them. There is no peace, therefore, in the heart of a carnal man, no in a man that is addicted to outward things; but only in a fervent spiritual man."

from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis

I can really relate to this right now!  I'd write too long a post to explain........ so.............
I think also since we are all carnal and spiritual at the same time (the soul is infused into the body at conception and not separated till death), these sorts of struggles are with us in various forms for the rest of our lives.  I do find however, that for me peace comes when I don't resist too much about going in a direction that is beyond my comfort zone..... and I have some deep, deep, deep comfort zones and hate, hate, hate change!

You and me both!

I've had to overcome a good deal of tortoise nature -- curled up comfortably in my shell to avoid shell shock!!! 

[Shin]

Vain is the life of that man who putteth his trust in men or in any created Thing.  Be not ashamed to be the servant of others for the love of Jesus Christ, and to be reckoned poor in this life.  Rest not upon thyself, but build thy hope in God.  Do what lieth in thy power, and God will help thy good intent. Trust not in thy learning, nor in the cleverness of any that lives, but rather trust in the favour of God, who resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble.

- Thomas a Kempis