To draw near to God..
Both Holy Scriptures and personal experience testify that, in order to draw near to God, it is necessary for the sinner to suffer, weep, shed tears, and convert his deceitful heart:
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
Suffer and endure…
Dear souls that seek to walk in security and comfort in spiritual things: If you knew just how necessary it is to suffer and to endure in order to reach such a lofty state of security and consolation… then you would in no way seek consolation, either from God or from creatures, but would rather bear the cross and, having embraced it, would desire to drink pure vinegar and gall, and would count this a great happiness.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Temptations are from the devil…
Your temptations are from the devil and from Hell; but your sufferings and afflictions are from God and Heaven.
–Saint Pio (1887-1968)
In prosperity or suffering…
Let’s bless our Lord whether we are in prosperity or in suffering, for these blend together in life–joy will follow our suffering, and those sufferings, in turn, will be followed by joy.
–Blessed Luisitia Josefa (1866-1937)
The purest suffering…
The purest suffering brings with it the purest and most intimate knowledge [of God], and consequently the purest and highest joy.
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
When you are sick…
When you are sick offer to Christ our Lord all your pains, your suffering, and your langur, and beseech Him to unite them to those He bore for you.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
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