“Be demanding of yourself, but without harshness or obstinacy” (Interior Word).
This is a very valuable advice for our spiritual and apostolic life, and of course it also applies to our daily life. It often happens that we are slow to draw consequences, so that things remain an act of good will that is not sufficiently applied.
To be demanding without being harsh or obstinate is a spiritual work of art that we can learn in our Father’s school. Isn’t this the way our Father forms us if we are willing to obey Him? Does not the Holy Spirit gently, but at the same time insistently and repeatedly, draw our attention to our faults and omissions? Does He not at the same time stretch out His hand to help us not to lose heart? Is it not precisely in this way that our tendency to harshness and obstinacy is softened and gives way to a more reflective and therefore more temperate attitude?
So how should we treat ourselves? As the Lord does! Let us observe carefully how He leads our lives and let the Holy Spirit guide us in our self-education. He will give us the light to see what we need to do and at the same time give us the strength and perseverance to put it into practice. This is especially true when it comes to working on our faults and imperfections. Harshness and obstinacy can give the impression that we have things under control in the short term, but then we fall back and become easily discouraged.
That is why it is important that we take the first step, which is small but consistent. With God’s help, this first step will be followed by others. Otherwise, we will become paralysed inwardly and it will become more and more difficult for us to live consistently.