CHAPITRE XIX.
Turning Away from Distractions
Instead of fighting distractions directly, the soul should simply turn its gaze toward God, like a child seeking safety in its mother's arms.
1. On distractions and temptations: here, find freedom by turning toward God. 2. As the Saints have done: otherwise, you expose yourself to harm. 1. In distractions or temptations, instead of fighting them directly—which only strengthens them and pulls the soul away from its clinging to God, which should be its whole occupation—simply turn your gaze from them and draw closer to God. It is like a little child who, seeing a monster, does not try to fight it or even look at it, but gently buries himself in his mother's breast, where he finds safety. (a) God is in the midst of her; she will not be shaken; he will help her at the break of day.✦1 (a) Psalm 45 verse 6✦
The Strength of Divine Presence
By remaining in the simple presence of God, the soul finds strength and victory, as the Lord fights on its behalf.
2. If we act otherwise, weak as we are, and try to attack our enemies, we often find ourselves wounded, if not completely defeated. But by remaining in the simple presence of God, we find ourselves suddenly strengthened. This was David's way: (b) 'I have,' he says, 'the Lord always present before me, and I will not be shaken; that is why my heart is in joy, and why my flesh will rest in safety.'2 It is said in Exodus: (c) 'The Lord will fight for you, and you will remain at rest.'✦3 (b) Ps. 15. v. 8, 9. (c) Exodus 14. verse 14.✦
Read the original French
1. Des Distractions, & tentations, s’en défaire ici par un détour vers Dieu.
2. Comme ont fait les Saints : autrement, on s’expose.
1. DANS les distractions ou tentations, au lieu de les combattre directement, ce qui ne seroit que les augmenter, & tirer l’ame de son adhérence à Dieu, qui doit faire toute son occupation, on doit en détourner simplement sa vue, & s’approcher de plus en plus de Dieu ; comme un petit enfant, qui voyant un monstre ne s’amuse pas à le combattre, ni même à le regarder, mais s’enfonce doucement dans le sein de sa mere, où il se trouve en assurance. (a) Dieu est au milieu d’elle, elle ne sera point ébranlée, il la sécourra dès le point du jour.
(a) Ps. 45. v. 6.
2. Faisant autrement, comme nous sommes foibles, pensant attaquer nos ennemis, nous nous trouvons souvent blessés, si nous ne nous trouvons pas entierement défaits : Mais demeurant dans la simple présence de Dieu, nous nous trouvons tout à coup fortifiés.
C’étoit la conduite de David : (b) J’ai, dit-il, le Seigneur toujours présent devant moi, & je ne serai point ébranlé : c’est pour cela que mon cœur est dans la joie, & que ma chair reposera même en assurance. Il est dit dans l’Exode, (c) Le Seigneur combattra pour vous, & vous vous tiendrez en repos.
(b) Ps. 15. v. 8, 9.
(c) Exod. 14. v. 14.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Ps.45.6;Ps.47.5 — Your arrows are sharp — peoples fall beneath you — in the heart of the king's enemies. Ps.47.5 — God has chosen our inheritance for us—the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah.
- ↩Ps.45.6 — Your arrows are sharp — peoples fall beneath you — in the heart of the king's enemies.
- ↩Exod.14.14 — The LORD will fight for you, and you shall keep silent.
- ↩Exod.14.14 — The LORD will fight for you, and you shall keep silent.
Notes
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