Fortitude
- perseveres in seeking the difficult good
- sustains difficult ministries
- keeps one faithful to the small duties of daily life
- removes the instinctual desire for power and control
- transmutes the energy of anger into zeal for the service of God and the needs of others
- welcomes the vicissitudes of daily life and resists giving way to feelings of frustration
- establishes a certain firmness of mind and heart in doing good and enduring evil
Related Concepts
Reflection
Description
Fortitude as a moral virtue enables us to pursue the difficult good on the spiritual journey. The Gift of fortitude pushes us much further, giving us energy to overcome major obstacles in the way of spiritual growth. It is an enormous reinforcement of the natural and infused virtue of fortitude.
Fortitude expresses itself in two ways. One is in sustaining us in very demanding situations or ministries. The other is in keeping us faithful to the small duties of daily life in which, for the love of God, we persevere in our particular state of life.
The Gift of Fortitude lays to rest the instinctual desire for power and control and cannot support being angry with others. It perseveres in seeking the difficult good.
Reflection: Listening
Fortitude is perseverance in doing good.
Reflection: Reflecting
What is your experience of fortitude? How might you continue to seek the difficult good? What is in the way of your spiritual growth? What must be endured?
Reflection: Responding
Transmute the energy of anger into zeal for the service of God and others.
