На терпение

1. Since you attack me, suffering from illness, then listen to a few words and take a lesson from me. It is better for me to be weak than for you to be strong. I, who am appointed to cleanse the evil, know that illness is a cleansing fire for me, although there is also the highest mystery of suffering. It is better to think this way than, remaining defiled, in vain arrogance to do any harm to yourself. But you are very thin and are not aware of your illness. In order for this disease to be eradicated from you before you die, it must bring you many tears before God. For if such is the light, what will be the darkness? 2. When you meet a person who is thin and prosperous, know that he is being reserved for the end. And when you see good in misfortune, understand that grief serves as cleansing. If he has attracted a little impurity onto himself, then work will be required to wipe it off so that nothing remains suitable for burning. Or non-participation can also, by God’s permission, be a temptation and reproach from the enemy. May victorious Job assure you of this. 3. If, being an unfortunate product of sin, you prosper, then know that you are being prepared for final torment. And if, being virtuous, you receive a sorrowful life as your lot, then know that you are being purified like gold in a furnace. Or if, like the new Job, you are exhausted in your body in the fight against an envious person, then in order to receive a victorious crown after your feat. Therefore, when you are prosperous, do not delight your thoughts, and in sorrows do not lose heart, accepting everything with a Christ-bearing heart. You might be interested in: