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I believe, Mother A., ​​that you have no joy from sorrows; I participate in this and sympathize, but how can I console you? I keep repeating and repeating one thing: you must endure. This advice is based on Holy Scripture, and examples and lives of St. the fathers and their teachings teach us this, and the very reason and skill of things clearly show the Providence of God in everything to us. When we obey this by undoubted faith, then the severity of sorrows will be pleasant and kind to us. You write that you have no consolation from sorrows: but let the sorrows themselves be your consolation; you realize that God, loving you, sends them, that the Lord is clearly punishing you for your grave sins. This punishment is the mercy of God; although I am not aware of your grave sins, my conscience itself shows them; I present St. John Chrysostom’s words: “For this reason, God, in secret and unknown ways, will punish those who sin among the pious in various ways, may he present them blameless to the great court, and may he punish them here as a reward.” And the word of the Apostles: those who are judged are punished by the Lord, lest we be condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). You can find many testimonies from St. Scriptures and from the teachings of the fathers that we need sorrow, and the mercy of God exists when it visits them; and that we do not accept them sweetly, this depends on our cowardice and lack of faith. But when we believe in the Providence of God and accept that without His will nothing can happen, and that this is for our sins, and we decide to patiently bear the cross sent, although it seems heavy: then God will strengthen us and make us light. All saints found peace in the cross. May the Lord grant you also to find joy in it, with such a mind: whatever sins I endure are my own cause, and I do not dare to blame anyone. No matter from which direction the sorrows come, they are all arranged by the wave of God and are of short duration. You will say: it’s good for you to speak in words and write easily, but how to do it? This is true. But if we do not hear (even though we hear the same thing as before), then we will fall into oblivion and become hardened; and from frequent repetition and reminders we may come to a feeling of fear of God. May the Lord give you understanding in everything; seek His help and intercession from the Mother of God. May the Lord bless you and cover you from all the snares of the enemy. Mnogohreshny I.M. May 23, 1832. You might be interested in: