After You Fall: 6 Must Do’s

You have fallen—again.
Sinful postpartum, self-accusation, and satanic condemnation assail you.

The proper Response—the 6 R’s.

Reject Self-Justification.

People blame their circumstances, DNA, and others for their sins.
Adam blamed Eve.
Eve blamed the serpent.
No one changed.

Resist the Temptation to Despair.

Don’t think I have re-crucified Christ (See Heb 6:6).
Don’t be Judas.

Believe Jesus’ promise:
“I did not come for the righteous but for sinners” (Lk 5:22).

St. Therese said, “I am unafraid of God’s justice, because He knows my weakness.
Therefore His justice will be mercy.”

Jesus promises, “Whoever comes to me I will not reject.” (Jn 6:37).
He commands you to forgive someone 70×7 times a day.
How much more does He demand it of Himself.

Run To Him (Immediately).

Peter, after denying Jesus three times, saw the risen Lord on the beach, immediately dove into the Sea of Tiberius, and swam 100 yards to reconcile with His Lord.

The prodigal son returned to his father—but his Father ran to him.
Take the first step—God will go the rest.

Those who delay become comfortable in their sin.
Like a toddler is comfy sitting in a poopy diaper.
But everyone around you knows you need a shower.

Remember the Relationship.

Often, we reduce our confession to perusing the ten commandments.
We tell the priest: I committed number 7 three times.
Reconciliation is not about rules and rituals—though they can assist us.
Confess that you damaged your relationship with God and your neighbor.
Profess your desire to be reconciled.
Don’t think I lost grace.
Think rather: I lost Jesus.

Real and Raw.

Accuse yourself.
Humble yourself before the priest.
Allow your terrible sins to roll over your lips and echo on the four walls of the confessional.
Feel their weight.
Humble yourself before God, and He will exalt you.

Repent.

The Greek word metanoia literally means, “changing one’s mind.”
“The God who created you without you will not save you without you” (St. Augustine).
He desires your participation.

Plan.

If drinking is your vice go to AA, throw out your booze, replace drinking with a healthy activity.

But realize your plan in itself won’t save you.

God, seeing your effort, will transform it and you into a new man.