You, however, continue in the things you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness ... (2 Tim 3:14-16).
There are seven spiritual works of mercy. One is to Counsel Doubtful or Troubled. Counseling can be about many things. But, when it comes to counseling the doubtful, you need to do this with a Christian point of view. The task of leading troubled souls to spiritual solutions requires a very holy and devout person through the muddy waters of life. I have met a number of women who have been divorced. I have tried to encourage them to seek to have on annulment to their marriage before they met someone else and felt in love. Some of them said they couldn’t wait because it took too long. Beside it was too expensive and couldn’t afford it. Another listened to my advice and began the process of an annulment.
I think that everyone needs spiritual guidance, not only doubtful in faith. Everyone of us is find in a difficulty of life. Spiritual direction is a great service to the soul, clearing the constant fog that clouds our life and helping us understand God’s action in our soul. Through the spiritual director, God speaks to us and helps us to resolve our problems. To find a reliable spiritual director today is not easy. Our Foundress, Mother Alphonse Marie, often asked Jesus to let Father Reichard to be her spiritual director to the end of her life. Jesus granted her prayer. She was open to him and obedient to his leadership. Thus she, even of many difficulties, founded our Congregation. As a Religious, I am happy to have a reliable and consistent spiritual director. In my difficulties of life, he helps me to find Jesus, Who is behind the clouds of doubt on my right path of following Christ. He helps me to direct my steps on the way of holiness and salvation, to choose the best portion.
I pray, for me and my Spiritual Director, to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, so that we may be open to His Guidance and to find Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I understand that to counsel the troubled means to assist others and to allow ourselves to be assisted by others in difficulties of life, to become more deeply rooted in the decision to follow Jesus, to choose the things awaiting in Heaven, to leave behind double-minded ways and to decide for what is right, good, noble, and holy.
Sister Dorothy Ruth, SDR
