Day 12: Examine the Heart's Desires (Imitation of Christ. Bk. 3. Ch. 11-13)

Day 12: Examine the Heart's Desires (Imitation of Christ. Bk. 3. Ch. 11-13). Our hearts’ desires need to be purified. Examine your desires and align them with God’s will. Practice patience and obedience in your vocations. [I am nothing, yet God continues to choose me.]

• Your desire is often inflamed and drives you strongly.
• Not every affection that seems good should be followed right away.
• You must sometimes use violence and manfully oppose the appetites of the senses.
• True peace of heart is discovered by resisting passions rather than indulging them.

Day 11: The Way of Humility (Imitation of Christ. Book 3. Chapter 7-10)

Day 11: The Way of Humility (Imitation of Christ. Book 3. Chapter 7-10). Humility is keeping God’s grace quietly hidden, trusting His timing, and placing Him above all else.

• Purify your affection, which is so often badly bent back on itself and toward creatures.

• Those who cast aside all fleshly (bodily) pleasure for love of you will discover (enjoy) the most tender (sweet) consolation of the Holy Spirit. 
• [I easily find comfort and consolation in my work, my family, my favorite food--which comes 1st and God 2nd. Lord, have mercy!]

• Left to myself I am nothing (but a zero) and totally weak (abound with frailties). [Hold on to this.]