4 Cards to Keep in Your Hand: The Cardinal Virtues
“For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Editor’s note: This Lent, the Catholic Women in Business team is exploring the theme “Cultivating Virtue in the Desert.” Learn more here.
The cardinal virtues—prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance—provide a solid foundation for professional work and everything else God has called a person to. They insulate Catholic professionals from burnout by helping to keep work ordered so that it remains a source of sanctification, deep joy, and serviceability in the kingdom of God. The cardinal virtues provide a road map that keeps one honest and progressing and provide clear targets to strive toward and measure oneself by.
The Work of God and Justice
Justice is giving God and others their due. God is given his due when a person accomplishes the work he has assigned to him or her and credits it to his glory. Working for the kingdom of God and at the service of Jesus Christ is meant to be a source of deep unending joy, as it is actually a share in his divine life. God’s work is meant to be sanctifying and life-giving, not a crushing burden that destroys life. It’s vital to maintain a personal relationship with the Lord, which is a continued spring of strength, power, renewal, and hope to accomplish the good work.
The Kingdom of God and Fortitude
Building up the kingdom of God demands hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. As it is written in Hebrews 10:39, “We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and will possess life.” Yet, work stress, marital conflict, frustrations with kids, and feelings of distance from God can make it hard and draining work.
This is where fortitude comes in: the virtue of perseverance through difficulties to accomplish the will and work of God. Fortitude ensures that one endures and wins life’s hardest but most important battles.
Good Training and Temperance
Temperance keeps one steady on the mark, striking the balance between the comforts of life and the pain that is necessary to accomplish good work. Avoidance of pain, fear of pain, and distortions around pain and discomfort quickly throw a person out of balance at either extreme of self-indulgence or overwork. Temperance keeps the human desire for pleasure from getting out of control while keeping the goods of life balanced.
Every time I train, my boxing coach ends with two sets of 100 punches. Temperance training accomplishes the same thing: When it comes time for the real fight, all the times one chooses 100 punches over an early ending to the workout pay off.
Grace and Getting After It
Prudence facilitates the discernment of the highest good and the right means to achieve it. Prudential living starts with knowledge and ends with action. Then, it begins again. Human nature is made for perfection and, with the help of God, can realize it through faith and good works.
Putting It Into Practice
Take a moment to inventory the work that God has called you to in business, family and faith. Under each category, list the work God has called you to accomplish. At the top of the page, write this as a banner over all three categories in bright ink: “I choose to do this work in the name of Jesus, at his service and for the glory of God.” Stand up and say it out loud with your hand on your heart.
Then, list one thing that can help you draw closer to God this week, and list one promise from Scripture that makes you feel confident and strong to do the work of God. A great example is Psalm 121:2-5, which says:
“My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; or your guardian to sleep. Behold, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps. The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”
Finally, list one or two unnecessary mental habits, behaviors, or emotions you’ve been holding onto because they have provided some form of comfort, pleasure, or relief. What you will have in your hand instead are the four winningest cards: justice, fortitude, temperance, and justice!
Dr. Lisa Petronis is a licensed clinical psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, and certified master Catholic life coach. In addition to her private practice, Dr. Lisa founded Halleluya Living, helping Catholics break out from burnout so they can experience joy and peace in the “work” of prayer, the spiritual life and daily living. Dr. Lisa finds deep joy to serve God by serving up dinner every night for her family and serving the anawim in S. Sudan; Kingston, Jamaica; juvenile detention facilities; and through a local sports ministry with her husband and sons. Learn more at DrLisaPetronis.com and Halleluyaliving.com.