February 12, 2026
Yes, you read that title correctly — The Trap of Lent.
I can already hear people gasping in reverence: “How can you say such a thing?”
Well, because during the first Lenten journey into the desert — when Jesus spent His 40 days fasting and praying — there was a series of traps being set for Him along the way by the one who wanted Him to fail. Yes, I am talking about Satan.
As Jesus grew physically weaker, the enticements, the lies, and even the illusions grew stronger. Traps were set by evil to try and get the Son of Man to fail His mission from the Father.
Now, here we are thousands of years later as Christians, marking this holy season by making our own Lenten promises and thinking of ways we can offer something as a sign of our faithfulness to God.
But even before we begin, the devil starts setting traps in our own pride, ego — and sometimes our apathy — to set us up for failure. Or worse… a “success” that didn’t challenge us at all. That results in what we think is a victory; however, there was no real growth in our spirituality or relationship with Christ because we were complacent.
Even in my own well-intentioned attempts to have a powerful Lent, I have failed because I created unrealistic routines or sacrifices that simply didn’t match where I was in life at the time.
So let’s look at a few traps to avoid this Lenten season as we head into our own spiritual deserts.
Trap #1 – Do What You Did Last Year
Growth is key in our faith life.
If we keep going back to sacrifice what is familiar every single year, it may mean we haven’t grown enough to truly address that particular vice. Maybe it’s not about eliminating something forever, but perhaps it’s about confronting the gluttony of something you overuse or overconsume.
Too often, once Lent is over, we go right back to it — like it was just a 40-day challenge. Lent is supposed to stretch us. It should feel a little uncomfortable and unfamiliar.
Take the chance to eliminate or embrace something new. What is the thing that is truly keeping you from God or leading you toward sin? Work to incorporate that into your fast.
Trap #2 – Go from 0 to 100
I have fallen into this trap many times.
I’m not praying at all because of a dry spell — then Lent comes, and suddenly I decide I am going to read the entire Bible in 40 days. One time, I attempted to pray two rosaries a day for 100 days because I felt guilty that I hadn’t prayed the rosary in years.
Our brains and hearts are human. We live in a tangible world with real limits. If we set unrealistic expectations, we set ourselves up for failure. And when we fail, the devil loves to whisper, “See? You’re not worthy of the relationship you desire with God. You might as well quit.”
To honor God with penance, fasting, and almsgiving, choose a challenge that stretches you beyond what you are doing now — but not something so far beyond your daily rhythm that it becomes unsustainable.
Small victories every day of Lent are better than one day of giant wins.
Trap #3 – Join a Group Challenge Without Discernment
Again, I can hear the groans.
“But I did XYZ 90 and it changed my life!”
That’s beautiful. That’s holy. I am so glad you were in a place to honor your effort to God and complete it.
However, we are all in different spiritual and physical seasons. If you are presented with a program or a branded routine that has a built-in plan, and you truly feel called to it by God, go for it.
But not everyone is ready for every challenge. Some people feel pressured or shamed into joining something because it looks holy.
The trap is not the program. The trap is thinking it is the only way to show real repentance.
Choose components that will help you grow spiritually this Lent and incorporate them into your life. Life is not 90 days long. We don’t have to cram all of our spiritual transformation into one branded timeframe.
Trap #4 – Friday Fish Fries
This one might get me in trouble.
Maybe this is more of a personal frustration than a theological crisis — and if so, I’ll take it to confession.
But hear me out.
The point of abstaining from meat and fasting on Fridays during Lent is to offer sacrifice and grow in holiness. Fish fries began as a way to build community while honoring the fast.
That is beautiful.
But fast forward to today — fish fries can sometimes look like lobster boils, crab legs, broiled, baked, fried, buttered, glazed delicacies. Pierogis. Potato pancakes. Endless sides. We count down the days until fish fry season because we love the food.
Wait. Stop.
Isn’t the point to sacrifice and be at least a little uncomfortable?
Isn’t the point community — not turning the parish hall into a five-star take-out operation?
I’m not saying don’t go. I’m not saying don’t support your parish. The devil didn’t invent fish fries to sabotage Lent.
But maybe this year, when you attend, eat simply. Stay and build community instead of grabbing take-out. Don’t eat five pieces of fish out of gluttony just to say you technically followed the rule of one full meal.
Let’s not turn a fast into a feast.
Trap #5 – Do Nothing
There isn’t much to say here.
I’ve heard people say, “I can’t think of anything this year, so I’m not doing anything for Lent.”
Imagine saying that directly to Jesus:
“I can’t think of how to show You I love You, Lord, so I’m just not going to try.”
Friends — do something.
If you can’t think of something to give up, add something good. If health prevents you from fasting because medications require you to eat, then write one encouraging note a day during Lent. Turn off the TV. Pray in the car instead of listening to music. Call an old friend and apologize. Work on your marriage. Do something intentional for your parents.
Everything you do for the Lord carries eternal value.
Don’t let yourself be trapped in the corner of “nothing.” Fight for growth. Fight for intentionality. Fight to let this Lent change you — and maybe even someone else along the way.
Lent is not a test to pass — it is an invitation to love deeper. The desert was not where Jesus was trapped; it was where the traps were exposed and defeated. And the same can be true for you. The enemy may try to trap you in pride, guilt, comparison, or complacency — but grace is stronger. If you stumble, begin again. If you struggle, lean in. If you fall, get up. The goal is not perfection; it is surrender. Let this Lent become the season where the traps lose their power and your heart grows stronger in Christ.
Posted by Greg Wasinski
