we can do nothing without God

God tells us that progress in virtue depends on His grace and in our own determination. God’s grace is always at our disposal. It is our determination that wavers and changes. Our intention would be more firm if we obtain more of God’s grace to help us.

By prayer and sacrifice, and with an increased use of God’s Sacraments, we would gain more graces. Then we would find our will stronger to follow our intentions throughout the day.

It is not always enough to make good intentions in the morning. We must also recall and renew them during the day. Examine how faithfully we are following our intentions, and seek to improve ourselves in this effort.

When we break our resolutions, we can begin again. This is far better than abandoning our good intentions altogether. Anyone can make good resolutions, but keeping them and renewing them is the hardest and is the work of a real Christian.

If we are afraid to start again or are discouraged by failure, it is because we do not understand what goes on in our daily life. Without God, we can do nothing. Put our trust in God’s help. Then confidently do our best to follow our resolutions. If we fail, renew our intentions at once and begin again.

God will judge us more by our efforts than by our failures. It is our natural pride that makes us afraid to begin, or discourages us when we fail. Pride wants immediate success.

Be honest and we will be humble. Make a sincere effort, but do not be surprised at our weaknesses and unexpected failures. Beg for God’s grace, and go on trying. Leave all else in God’s hands. He who keeps trying to please God will never be abandoned by Him.

Are we brave enough to renew our intentions and good resolutions each day, and to make an honest effort to follow them? God’s help will not fail us. Our old faults will slowly disappear as we advance in the practice of the opposite virtues.

Thus, if we have a fault of laziness, we can best conquer it by seeking more opportunities to perform good deeds. And so will it be with our other faults.

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