Acceptance, Adversity, John Chrysostom (347-407), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic
For herein consists the material of my gain, herein consists my wealth, herein consists the means of getting rid of my sins: that my journey is continually encompassed by trials of this kind, that they are inflicted upon me by persons from whom they were quite unexpected.
–Saint John Chrysostom (347-407)
Adversity, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
If then you remain constant in faith in the face of trial, the Lord will give you peace and rest for a time in this world, and for ever in the next.
–Saint Jerome Emiliana (1481-1537)
Adversity, Julian of Norwich (1342-1416), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic, Suffering
[God] did not say ‘You shall not be tempest-tossed, you shall not be work-weary, you shall not be discomforted’. But he did say, ‘You shall not be overcome.’ God wants us to heed these words so that we shall always be strong in trust, both is sorrow and in joy.
— Saint Julian of Norwich (1342-1416)
Adversity, Discipleship, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
There will always be many who love Christ’s heavenly kingdom, but few who will bear his cross. Many are eager to be happy with him; few wish to suffer anything for him. Many love Christ as long as they encounter no hardship; many praise and bless him as long as they receive some comfort from him. But if Jesus hides himself and leaves them for a while, they either start complaining or become dejected. Those, on the contrary, who love him for his own sake and not for any comfort of their own, praise him both in trial and anguish of heart as well as in the bliss of consolation. Even if Jesus should never comfort them, they would continue to praise and thank him. What power there is in a pure love for Jesus – love that is free from all self-interest and self-love.
–Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471)
Adversity, Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), Page: Quotes, Quote Author, Quote Topic
Realize that illness and other temporal setbacks often come to us from the hand of God our Lord, and are sent to help us know ourselves better, to free ourselves of the love of created things, and to reflect on the brevity of this life and, thus, to prepare ourselves for the life which is without end.
–Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
Adversity, Church, Page: Quotes, Quote Topic
People are much greater and stronger than we imagine, and when unexpected tragedy comes we see them often grow to a stature that is far beyond anything we imagined. We must remember that people are capable of greatness, of courage, but not in isolation. They need the conditions of solidly linked human unit in which everyone is prepared to bear the burden of others.
–Anthony Bloom (1914-2003)