“One can doubt man’s disposition, but not God’s plans, which will be fulfilled in a timely and importunate manner, even amidst of errors and darkness” (Interior Word).
It is advisable to live with an attitude of holy sobriety. This sobriety makes us aware that humans are often weak and inconstant, and generally do not know themselves at the deepest levels of their unconscious. Thus, we or others may find ourselves in contradiction with the life we truly desire. St. Paul puts it very clearly: “For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do.” (Rom 7:18–19)
Therefore, prudence always requires us to take human weakness into account and not deal with others or ourselves as if we were infallible.
With God, however, it is different. In Him, “is no variation or shadow due to change” (Jam 1:17). God does not change His plans to lead men to the harbor of salvation. In His wisdom, He can make use of the errors and darkness that hinder His salvific plan. This also applies to Satan’s attacks, which are intended to cause harm. However, God incorporates them into His plan of salvation, and they must serve a purpose.
Thus, holy sobriety teaches us to have confidence in others without forgetting their fallibility, and to place unlimited trust in God. In this way, we maintain balance and neither idealize others nor ourselves. At the same time, we glorify God through our unfailing trust, and He can include us more fully in His plans for our salvation as His conscious cooperators.