Times of trial occur when we are actively regenerating
(no one can be reborn without undergoing trial), and
they are brought about by the evil spirits around us. At
such times we are brought into the state of evil that is
ours, or rather the state of evil characterizing the part of
us that is most our own. When we enter this state, evil,
hellish spirits surround us. When they notice that angels
are guarding us from inside, they stir up the distorted
thoughts we have had and the wrongs we have done, but
the angels defend us from within. This fight is what we
perceive as a trial, but so dimly that we can hardly tell
it is not simple anxiety. We humans—especially those
of us who disbelieve in spiritual inflow—live in a totally
obscure state. We sense scarcely a thousandth of the issues
over which the evil spirits and angels are fighting.
Yet we and our eternal salvation are the whole point, and
we provide the resources. What is inside us supplies both
the ammunition with which the combatants fight and the
issues over which they fight.
I have been allowed to know for certain that this is how
the case stands. I have heard the fighting, perceived the
inflow, and seen the spirits and angels. I have also spoken
with them about the fight during and after it.
—Secrets of Heaven 5036:2
