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Actually, this particular book did not go deeply into scruples that much. In fact this particular book wrote alot about the historical events happening while St. Francis was alive, and not so much on his interior life.

St. Francis, though, did mention this advice to his friend (who later became a nun) as he recognized she was suffering with scruples. She would agonize for weeks whether "this or that was right".

Unfortunately, I don't have the book with me now (I am not at home) but I will give you the name of the book the next time I log in.

His most famous book is "Introduction to the Devout Life". He was an eloquent writer and very often used nature to show his readers the love of God.

But getting back to religous scruples: Most religious will tell you that to cure religous scruples one should get a spiritual advisor first of all - particular one who understands scruples. If you are Catholic I would suggest speaking to a priest about it. Confession is usually a great time to talk because you can remain anonymous if you so desired. In fact, the most thorough and helpful advice was given to me in confession by different priests.

I personally believe, most secular psychologists really don't know how to throroughly grasp religious scruples and what is truly going on as it is a spiritual struggle the individual is going through. I know, I have been to several psychologists.

Secondly, if one truly examines his scruples, he will notice that - he is actually not being obedient to his faith - whether it be lack of faith in God - and feeling that he/she can actually make something "right" by his/her actions, etc.

In my case I suffered a lot with the "magical thinking" stuff -thinking that I could make something happen by my thoughts - which actually is total disobedience to God - because when you think about it - who do you think you are using when you think you may be cursing or causing harm to someone by these thoughts? I have one answer - it is not God that is for sure. So when I come upon these situations, I simply say to myself "fear the disobedience to God here". It's almost like a weird jujitsu move you are doing - fearing the disobedience to God, rather than the actual fearful houghts.

Thirdly - scruples absolutely operates on fear. It is the "fuel" that keeps it going. You can actually use this fear to your advantage - in order to get out of this tangle mess - and that is to be fearful of being disobedient to God.

This is why so many saints (St. Faustina Kowalska, St. Ignatius Loyola, and this particular saint - in this book) have mentioned that it is by "obedience" that they came out of this darkness.