Sunday, October 18, 2015

Facing Demons

Dr. Ronda Chervin’s latest book, Avoiding Bitterness in Suffering: How Our Heroes in Faith Found Peace Amid Sorrow, was just published last month by Sophia Institute Press.
 
In the chapter titled “Meeting Christ in Temptation,” Dr. Chervin discusses saints and holy people who were periodically surrounded by “gruesome tormenting demons."
 
She provides two examples in which Matt Talbot suffered from “violent oppression demons,” one occurring while waiting to enter a church and another within church while approaching the alter rail. She also notes Matt’s practices of fasting and penances to help him overcome temptation to drink.