To set the goal of our life to follow Jesus Christ closely and to progress always in this following already requires fortitude, because it was never a comfortable undertaking to follow Christ. It is a joyful task, immensely joyful, but sacrificial. And after the first decision, there is the decision of each time, of each day. The Christian must be strong to undertake the path of holiness and to resume it at each of its stages, to persevere undaunted in spite of all the obstacles, internal and external, that arise.
We need the strength to be faithful in the small things of each day, which is, in the end, what brings us closer to or separates us from the Lord. This attitude of firmness is manifested at work, in family life, in the face of pain and sickness, in the face of possible discouragements that would take away peace if there were not a determined struggle to overcome them, always supported by the consideration that God is our Father and remains close to each of his children.
We need the virtue of fortitude to avoid the downward slide, to put aside the trinkets of earth and not allow the heart to become attached to them in an age when many have them as the end of their life and forget that their heart was created by God so that He alone can satiate their craving for happiness. Many Christians seem to have forgotten that Christ is truly the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price , for whose possession it is worthwhile not to fill the heart with small and relative goods, for "he who knows the riches of Christ our Lord, despises all things for them; for him possessions, riches and honors are garbage. For there is nothing that can be compared to that supreme treasure, nor that can be placed in its presence", To be effectively detached from the goods that we must use, so as not to turn them into ends, we must be strong.
This virtue leads us to be patient in the face of events and unpleasant news and in the face of the obstacles that arise every day, to know how to wait for the right moment to make a correction. It is not proper for a Christian who lives in the presence of his Father God to walk around with a sour, grumpy or sad expression in the face of a prolonged wait, in the face of unforeseen plans that have to be changed at the last minute, or in the face of the small (or big) failures that every normal life brings with it. Patience also leads us to be understanding with others, when it seems that they do not improve or do not put all their interest in correcting themselves, and to treat them always with charity, with human appreciation and supernatural sense. Those who are in charge of the formation of others (parents, teachers, superiors...) need patience in particular, because "governing often consists in knowing how to "pull" people along, with patience and affection". We can all be helped by this advice to make today's examination in our personal prayer: "You must conduct yourself every day, in dealing with those around you, with much understanding, with much affection, together, of course, with all the necessary energy: otherwise, understanding and affection turn into complicity and selfishness". Charity is never weakness, and fortitude should not take on an unfriendly, harsh and grumpy attitude.