Many of us today are feeling a sense of doom with the current political landscape.  The spectra of expanded government control over the most personal decisions in the lives of a previously free people have left us reeling.  

We see scandal after scandal emerging of government officials using the power of their federal offices to discriminate against those who oppose the policies of the Obama Administration and - with no one taking any personal responsibility for their actions. 

Our federal government, through the HHS mandate under the Affordable Care Act (also known as 'Obamacare') is forcing religious institutions to provide services that directly contradict the teachings of their faith AND worse of all - claiming the right to decide for religious institutions what constitutes their ministry.

To make matters worse, those who have been fighting in the cause for life are left grief stricken at the expansion of abortion and taxpayer funding of abortion that is forced upon us by further legislation.  We hear false pledges by our public leaders for abortion to be 'rare' and 'safe'. Instead we see public leaders advocating for less-regulated abortion clinics, thereby decreasing the safety of young girls and women.  Instead we see public leaders fighting against informed consent legislation that would inform women of possible risks (there are many) and afford them the opportunity to view a sonogram to see their baby before giving consent to the "choice" of abortion.   Instead we see public leaders disregarding the horrors committed by abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell which are not rare but common in this industry.  Instead we see public leaders working to ensure  that 'Back Alley' infanticide abortion mills like Gosnell's will thrive even more in our country by our state and federal governments' furthering of late-term abortion legislation and taxpayer funding of abortion.    

These are just some of the serious infringements that are being forced upon us by expanded government control.  While there are some public leaders bravely taking a strong stand, many are running away from the fight for life, religious freedom, freedom of speech and true virtues - caving into political pressure, the lure of political donations or other financial gain…the proverbial 30 pieces of silver.  

It’s easy to yield to depression right now.  If you’re already struggling with depression or anxiety, all this can really exacerbate things for you.

But, God has His day.  After the crucifixion came the resurrection.  God used the wickedness of the Pharisees and the Roman soldiers in His higher plan for our salvation.  He will use this too.  Justice will arise like the dawn for those who trust in God. But, we must PRAY.  We must pick up our [spiritual] weapons and fight the evil that is befalling us. 

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”- (Ephesians 6:10-11) 

So, how should you deal with the emotional fall out of these and other events and the frustration and fear that comes in its wake?

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There’s a lot that our Catholic Church teaches about manhood and virtue.  The Theology of the Body is brimming over with lessons to learn, and I certainly have endless examples from therapy sessions of the suffering caused by a lack of manhood.  I realized though that every week there is a new “5 ways to…” article on everything from ‘Dating’ tips to ‘How To Strap A Baby In A Car Seat’.  I think they’re great, and I’ll probably write more of that myself.  For now though, I thought I’d get a little more personal.  Instead of pretending to have the secret to everything you ever needed to know about manhood, I’m going to share something I’ve learned from some of my failures.

I’m always right.  I think so anyway.

Most of the time I can argue my way into or out of anything I want.  If you know me well, you are nodding your head as you read this.  I studied a lot of philosophy in college, I love to think logically and rationally about things, and for the most part, with all humility, I think I’m pretty good at it. Actually, for the most part, men in general are pretty good at logical thinking.  I also have a notoriously stubborn personality that, when combined with my logical way of seeing the world, leads to a lot of trouble.  Most people eventually give up trying to argue a point with me.  In the rare event that I cross paths with an equally stubborn guy with a different point of view, an argument (battle) ensues that reaches epic proportions.  My roommate and I got into a debate my Freshman year about Bill Clinton that had the entire floor crowded around our room taking sides and egging us on. Junior year brought with it the great “guardian angel debate.”

You can only imagine how wonderful it is for my wife to be married to this exquisite combination of humility and docility.  Well, at the risk of scandalizing anyone under the misperception that psychologists lead perfectly harmonious lives, my wife and I argue.  Arguing is a healthy and natural part of any close relationship.  Arguing in marriage is even more healthy and natural, and there is a right and wrong way to argue.  A typical argument between us is usually the battle between my (superior) logical perspective, and my wife’s attempts to find a hole in my logic.

There is so much pressure on us men of today to be successful. But what does being “successful” as a man really mean? Most of us men work very hard to be able to afford the (often very expensive) necessities of daily living. Many of us try to go above and beyond to provide additional comforts for our families and ourselves. Is having all of the latest technology, a sign of being successful? Or is it being physically fit and handsome and scoring with women? Or is it when we are envied by other men who wish they were like us? Is it all of the above, some of the above or none of the above?

What exactly does it mean to be a successful man?

 Today’s culture has bombarded us with it’s opinion of success. We see the “successful man” all the time in commercials, on TV and in the movies: wearing the best clothes money can buy, driving expensive cars, working out at the gym for the best body and having sex with “hot” women with no ties, no real connection and no discernible consequences. Just fun, fun, fun. It may all sound good on the surface, but what this culture has engendered is an epidemic of broken families, lonely people and the necessity to dispose of the natural results of these sexual exploits through the gruesome slaughter of innocent babies through abortion. We live in a culture of polarization of the sexes with neither one being able to trust as their wounds pile up.