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Finding Peace in the Storm
the practical result of what Jesus meant when He said,
“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself
and take up his cross and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).
Ascesis is self-giving and self-denial — saying no to the
draws of your lower nature in order to say yes to giving
yourself completely to God, to His will, and to those
whom He has placed in your care or in your circle of
influence. Practicing ascesis daily is simply what it means
to truly follow Jesus and what He meant when He said,
“If you want to be my disciple, take up your cross and
follow me.” On an encouraging note, if you pursue the
sacraments and prayer the way the saints did, your practice
of ascesis is already well under way!
This final element completes what I like to call a “saintmaking
machine.” These basic elements are in place in
the life of every saint and everyone who makes progress
in the spiritual life toward God and peace and away from
sin and the sorrows of sin. This Paradigm of Ascent is
also the necessary basis for beginning to distinguish between
the voice and influence of God and the voice and
influence of the enemy of your soul.
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