"O LORD my God, patience is very necessary for me (Hebrews 10:36), as I plainly see, for many things in this life do happen against us. For whatever plans I shall make for my own peace, my life cannot be without war and pain. (Job 7:1)"
"It is so, My son. But My will is that you seek not that peace that is void of temptation, or which feels nothing contrary. But rather think that you have found peace, when you are tested with sundry tribulations (James 1:2), and tried in many crosses.
Do you think that the men of this world suffer nothing, or but a little? Not so shall you find it, even if you ask those who enjoy the greatest delights. But you will say, 'They have many delights and follow their own wills, therefore they do not weigh their own afflictions.' Be it so - that they do have whatever they will; but how long do you think it will last? Behold, even "as smoke is driven away...so let the wicked perish at presence of God" (Psalm 68:2), and there shall be no memory of their past joys! Yea, even while they are alive, they do not rest in them without bitterness, and weariness, and fear. For from the selfsame thing in which they imagine their delight to be, often the receive the penalty of sorrow. Justly are they dealt with, because inordinately they seek and follow after delights, they enjoy them not without shame and bitterness. Oh, how brief, how false, how inordinate and filthy, are all those pleasures! Yet so drunken and blind are men that they understand it not; but like dumb animals, for the poor enjoyment of this corruptible life, they gain the death of the soul.
"Therefore, My son, go not after lusts, but refrain from your own will. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:4) For if you desire true delight and to be comforted, behold, in all the contempt of all worldly things, and in the cutting off of all base delights, shall be your blessing, and abundant consolation shall be given to you. And the more you withdraw yourself from the solace of all other creatures, so much sweeter and more powerful consolation shall you find in Me.
But at first, you shall not be without some sadness, and the toil of conflict, attain unto these. In you way shall stand inbred habit, but by better habit shall it be entirely overcome. The flesh shall murmur against you; but with fervency of Spirit shall it be bridled. The old Serpent shall sting and irritate you, but by prayer he shall be put to flight. Moreover also, by useful labor shall his approach be barred."
- Thomas a Kempis, (1380-1471 A.D.) "The Imitation of Christ."
"It is so, My son. But My will is that you seek not that peace that is void of temptation, or which feels nothing contrary. But rather think that you have found peace, when you are tested with sundry tribulations (James 1:2), and tried in many crosses.
Do you think that the men of this world suffer nothing, or but a little? Not so shall you find it, even if you ask those who enjoy the greatest delights. But you will say, 'They have many delights and follow their own wills, therefore they do not weigh their own afflictions.' Be it so - that they do have whatever they will; but how long do you think it will last? Behold, even "as smoke is driven away...so let the wicked perish at presence of God" (Psalm 68:2), and there shall be no memory of their past joys! Yea, even while they are alive, they do not rest in them without bitterness, and weariness, and fear. For from the selfsame thing in which they imagine their delight to be, often the receive the penalty of sorrow. Justly are they dealt with, because inordinately they seek and follow after delights, they enjoy them not without shame and bitterness. Oh, how brief, how false, how inordinate and filthy, are all those pleasures! Yet so drunken and blind are men that they understand it not; but like dumb animals, for the poor enjoyment of this corruptible life, they gain the death of the soul.
"Therefore, My son, go not after lusts, but refrain from your own will. "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37:4) For if you desire true delight and to be comforted, behold, in all the contempt of all worldly things, and in the cutting off of all base delights, shall be your blessing, and abundant consolation shall be given to you. And the more you withdraw yourself from the solace of all other creatures, so much sweeter and more powerful consolation shall you find in Me.
But at first, you shall not be without some sadness, and the toil of conflict, attain unto these. In you way shall stand inbred habit, but by better habit shall it be entirely overcome. The flesh shall murmur against you; but with fervency of Spirit shall it be bridled. The old Serpent shall sting and irritate you, but by prayer he shall be put to flight. Moreover also, by useful labor shall his approach be barred."
- Thomas a Kempis, (1380-1471 A.D.) "The Imitation of Christ."
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