Banish discouragement from your heart as best you can, and if trouble comes, never let it depress you, or hinder you for long. At least bear it bravely if you cannot bear it cheerfully. Even if you are reluctant to bear it, and feel indignant, yet control yourself, and let no rash words escape you that may harm Christ's little ones. The violence of your feelings will soon subside, and grace return to heal your inner pain. "I live," says the Lord, "ready to help and comfort you more than ever, if you will trust Me, and call on Me with devotion."
Be of good heart, and steel yourself to endure greater trials. All is not lost, however often you feel tempted or sorely troubled. You are a (wo)man, not God; you are human, not an angel. How can you expect to remain always in a constant state of virtue, when this was not possible even for an angel of Heaven, nor for the first (wo)man in the Garden?
I am He who grants healing and comfort to those in distress, and I raise up to My Divinity, those who acknowledge their weaknesses.
- Thomas a Kempis
The Inner Life
Be of good heart, and steel yourself to endure greater trials. All is not lost, however often you feel tempted or sorely troubled. You are a (wo)man, not God; you are human, not an angel. How can you expect to remain always in a constant state of virtue, when this was not possible even for an angel of Heaven, nor for the first (wo)man in the Garden?
I am He who grants healing and comfort to those in distress, and I raise up to My Divinity, those who acknowledge their weaknesses.
- Thomas a Kempis
The Inner Life
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