Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

What Would I Do Without God

Home
General Christian
Relationships and Religion
3 Ways Our Guardian Angels Help Us

3 Ways Our Guardian Angels Help Us

Last updated on: October 2, 2023 at 12:31 pm by Theresa Siller

0 Comments

3 Ways Our Guardian Angels Help Us 2023-10-02T12:31:19-04:00 Theresa Siller

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Archangels have big tasks!

Archangels have life-changing jobs on Earth! Credit: T. Siller

Today, October 2nd, is the Feast Day of the Guardian Angels. They help us navigate this sometimes-perilous Earth in three major ways: 1. Assisting us in avoiding temptation, 2. Protecting us physically, and 3. Helping us grow closer to God.

St. Padre Pio said, “Invoke your guardian angels, that they will illuminate you and will guide you. God has given them to you for a reason. Therefore, use them!”

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 336, it states: “From its beginning until death, human life is surrounded by the angels’ watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd.”

Biblical scholars do not know how many angels there are, but St. John said, “They number as great as the stars.”

Assisting Us In Avoiding Temptation

We were assigned our own angel at birth. We desperately need their help, because life loves to throw us derailing curveballs. A third of God’s created angels were cast down in their rebellion, and “roam about the world seeking the ruin of souls.” Our journey here is rife with stumbling blocks, and it’s nice to know we are truly not alone, as we try to always live lives which glorify God.

The road of life is precarious. Credit: Pixabay

St. John Bosco said, “When tempted, invoke your angel. The devil trembles and flees at the sight of your angel.”

“For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go.” Psalm 91:11-12.

Once, when I was about 13, a new girl, Liz, moved into the neighborhood. This was 1977, in the D.C. suburbs. Liz lived in a permissive home without too much supervision. We all tried to welcome her, but it was baffling. She managed to constantly be in trouble. One afternoon on our backyard patio, Liz pulled a joint out of her pocket and asked me if I wanted some. Within seconds, my mother showed up at the sliding glass door. “Theresa, you have a phone call. Hurry up; don’t keep them waiting.” Liz fled, and when I entered the kitchen, the phone was on the hook. Huh?

“Just thought I’d save you from that,” Mom stated, eyebrows raised. Today I believe my guardian angel helped my mother hear every word of that conversation with Liz.

Gossip. True poison. I have been sucked into it multiple times. I believe it is a sin. At my previous place of employment, there was a woman who always pulled me aside to trash others. (Made me wonder what she was saying about me when I was not around)! Her beef with another coworker was totally true. That coworker bullied and belittled us! I wanted to be a “good listener” and “validate” this lady’s complaints, but her words were downright mean.

My guardian angel enveloped me and shoved me outta there to another task, before I succumbed to being a full-fledged participant in this toxicity. It was HARD.

Protecting Us Physically

I was headed to work the other day, and the major highways in this downtown and their signage are super confusing. Even the GPS sucks on that route! Here I was, merrily driving all the way in the left lane, and my immediate exit was 4 lanes to the right! SCOOTCH! No cars in my way. Probably not too swift of me… Yep. That’s my guardian angel.

As I recently drove my post-op husband home from an unknown out of town area, he took a sip from his water bottle. It dribbled all over him when he shouted, “WATCH OUT!!!” Another car was rapidly approaching us head-on. Nowhere to swerve. Again, guardian angel carrying out God’s orders that that day was not to be the day we got into a wreck.

I am so, so grateful for all this extra help we humans receive from above!

The angels of protection are: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Sariel, Raguel and Remiel. What a team! How blessed we all are.

When we see multiple flowers, we can think of multiple angels surrounding us, always. Credit: T. Siller

Helping Us Grow Closer to God

The angels, including our Guardian, have our best interests at heart. They follow whatever God orders, for our daily benefit. The most important value we Christians have is drawing closer to our Creator.

“Angels are spiritual creatures who glorify God without ceasing and who serve His saving plans for other creatures.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 350

St. Thomas Aquinas said, “The angels work together for the benefit of us all.”

Sometimes when I take a walk, I chat with God about all my frustrations. Sometimes I feel overcome, and tears threaten. I believe in those moments, that I am surrounded by angels trying to help console me.

All Light on this Earth includes Jesus and the angels. Credit: Rich Siller

If we remember that the angels are right here in our midst, we will feel comforted by their ability to help us: 1. Avoid temptation, 2. Protect us physically, and 3. Help us grow closer to God.

I feel suffused with warmth and love when I recite my childhood bedtime prayer:

“Oh angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love entrusts me here. Ever this day, be at my side. To light, to guard, to rule, and guide me. Amen.”

Angels help us avoid temptation

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Feast Day of the Guardian Angels

Angels help with temptation

Catechism of the Catholic Church

Feast Day of the Guardian Angels

Padre Pio

St. John Bosco

St. Thomas Aquinas

About Theresa Corbley Siller

Theresa Corbley Siller has been a teacher of all ages for 37 years. She has been published in Guideposts, Dance Life, OC 87 Recovery Diaries and The Magnolia Review Literary Journal. Her column, "Rising Stars", appeared in The Cape Coral Breeze Newspaper. Theresa is very grateful to God for her husband, Rich, and their daughters, Michelle, Caroline and Christyanne. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

September 27, 2023

3 Ways to Notice God's Grace in Everyday Life

Next Post

October 4, 2023 3 Strategies to Successfully Wait on the Lord

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category !2-Step Programs 4th Step Inventory 11th Step Prayer-Big book of AA 4th Step Inventory AA adulting Alcoholism Alzheimers Angels help us avoid temptation anxiety Anxiety for the Unknown armor of God autoimmune disorders Avastin eye shots Benefits of attending Eucharistic Adoration Bethany Hamilton Bible verses on peace Big Book of AA Billy Joel song Blessed Mother Blind faith bomb sniffing dogs Bust Stigma canine intelligence Carpal Tunnel Surgery Catechism of the Catholic Church Celebrity Memoir Christian Author Christian exclusivity Christian judgment Christian meanness Claddagh Ring Confidence Contentment danger of texting while driving Dementia Demonic possession Demons Depression Devil Discerning God's Purpose Disease of Addiction dogs' amazing sense of smell Dr. Tony Evans drug sniffing dogs Earth's pleasures are fleeting exorcism Failure Failure faith discussions Father Amorth Fear Feast Day of the Guardian Angels Forgiveness Forgiveness in other faiths Friend Tribe Friendship Ghosting Glennon Doyle God Epiphany God's gift of dogs God's help to forgive God's Peace good deeds Good friends Grace Gratitude Gratitude List greater purpose grounding Guardian Angels Gulf War Harlan Coben Higher Power Sovereignty Holiness Hospital ship Comfort How can the Bible help suicidal ideation? How Important Is It? Identity in God Idols Above God ignore other human's opinions Importance of Community Importance of Morning Prayer Intercessor with Jesus Katy Nichole "Hold On" song Kidney transplant Learn all points of view Let Go and Let God Life Lessons Limbo Life Listening Listening with eye contact Love is a decision lyme disease M. Scott Peck Marriage Advice Matthew Perry RIP Matthew Perry's Addiction Maya Angelou Medical Discharge from the Navy Mental Health millennials not attending church Mother Angelica Movie Soul Surfer Movie Unstoppable National Parents As Teachers Day Natural Family Planning-NFP Natural vs. Artificial contraception Navigating Intimate Relationships Never wear out your welcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Only God Can Fill You Otherworldly strength Our Lady of Guadalupe Our Lady of Lourdes Our Lady of Medjugorje Padre Pio peace Prayer of Jabez progressive muscle relaxation proselytizing QTIP Randy Pausch-The Last Lecture recession of 2008 Retinologist Sacrament of Confession Satan Satan's Lies search and rescue dogs Self-Esteem service dogs Shame short-term memory loss spiritual warfare St. John Bosco St. Thomas Aquinas suicide suicide prevention suicide risks The importance of thank-you notes Tony Dungy toxic people Trust Uncategorized unexpected blessings Unfulfilled Soul what would Jesus Do?

Select a Month November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz