The Saints never asked to be spared from troubles, but for God to give them patience, because in patience, one attains the reward. In patience, one receives the martyr’s crown, not in joy.
Therefore, let no one despair. Do you have an illness? Do you have sadness? Let God guide you as He knows best. It is up to us to have patience and say, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”
Every person has their cross to bear. We are Christians and have Christ as our model. He climbed Golgotha… if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). We all say it. But when it comes to putting these words into practice it’s a bit difficult, a bit difficult, we might say.
Excerpt from Elder Ephraim of Katounakia. Theologian and educator of the desert – George S. Kroustalakis, Egumenita Publishing House, via http://manastireasuruceni.md
