from My Utmost for His Highest - Nov. 23rd (my mom's birthday!)

Three distractions to spiritual growth.
1. The cares of the world. the desire for things, position, power, wrong priorities that make us
prejudiced against anyone else.
2. The desire for vindication. St Augustine prayed "O Lord, deliver me from always vindicating
myself." why do I always feel I must 'explain' myself - get people to understand? Our Lord
never explained Himself.. he was secure in who He was.
3. Spiritual discernment. which can lead to criticism or spiritual pride.
God never gives us discernment to criticize or to be proud - only to pray!

These - and many others - distract us from purity of heart.