I have shed many tears. I have, however, also obtained a favor; after each suffering I understood more clearly Jesus’ conduct towards me… This grace consists in accepting suffering with joy in the firm hope that suffering will come to an end one day.
–Marcel Nguyễn Tân Văn (1928–1959)
Where can a man warm himself better than by the fire? So it is in God. Man must bring all that concerns him to God, and leave all with Him. God will provide for him in the best of ways. He must trust all things to God; and, in that trust, he must be ready to accept all things, as for the best, and rest in the divine peace.
–Johannes Tauler (c. 1300–1361)
God wants us to know that he keeps us safe through good and ill… We shall see God face to face, simply and holding.
–Saint Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)
So commit yourself confidently and without hesitation, all that you are, and everything else, individually and in general, to the unfailing and totally reliable providence of God, in silence and in peace, and he will fight for you. He will liberate you and comfort you more fully, more effectively and more satisfactorily than if you were to dream about it all the time, day and night, and were to cast around frantically all over the place with the futile and confused thoughts of your mind in bondage, nor will you wear out your mind and body, wasting your time, and stupidly and pointlessly exhausting your strength.
–Saint Albert the Great (c.1206-1280)
Be resigned to the will of God in all things; make frequent acts of submission; regard with the eye of faith all interior and exterior troubles as coming from God; do not think of the future – that is, of its misfortunes, its trials, and other occurrences which the imagination may conjure up, but dispel them in the will of God.
–Saint Paul of the Cross (1694-1775)
Do not be discouraged if physical sickness comes upon you. Who are you to take offense if your Lord-and-master wishes you to be afflicted in your body? Does he not care for you in every way? Could you live without him? Resign yourself and beseech God to grant you what is appropriate, that is, according to his will.
–The Desert Fathers (and Mothers)
